By Barbara Dreaver, Pacific Correspondent
A storm is brewing over China’s influence at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) after the leaders’ final communique was amended to exclude a reference to Taiwan.
The forum in Tonga this week brought together Australia, New Zealand and 16 Pacific nations.
China is not a member of the forum, but like the US and several other major countries, attends some events as a “dialogue partner”.
Taiwan has been afforded the status of “development partner” for more than 30 years.
On Friday, the final version of the PIF Communique, sent out and published on the PIF website, included the below in Section 66 ‘Relations with Taiwan/Republic of China: “Leaders reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China,” it read.
A few hours later, the communique was removed from the website and a new version was republished which removed the reference.
China’s special envoy to the Pacific Qian Bo told journalists the final version was a “mistake”.
“Surprisingly we also learned there is language concerning (Taiwan and China) this should not be the final communique, there must be a correction on the text,” he said.
The ABC reported Bo was “blindsided” by the reference to Taiwan and China in the final communique.
The removal of Section 66 raised serious questions about the degree of influence China has on the regional body, said Massey University associate professor in security studies Anna Powles.
“China’s ability to successfully pressure the Forum to remove Section 66 is a clear wedge strategy with the intention to disrupt and divide.
“It sends a clear message to the Forum and Taiwan’s remaining Pacific allies that China wields significant influence at the potential expense of regional unity.”
Taiwanese influence in the region is diminishing, but three countries in the Pacific — Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Palau — maintain strong diplomatic ties.
Palau president Surangel Whipps Jr said it would fight any proposal to strip Taiwan of its development partner status at the PIF.
“That would obviously be disrespectful of sovereignty.”
Speaking yesterday in Tonga, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon defended Taiwan’s participation next year at PIF which is being held in the Solomon Islands, which is strongly aligned with China.
“As a host of PIF you may have an individual position that’s different, but you need to reflect the views of the Pacific Islands Forum.”
The Pacific Islands Secretariat has not offered any explanation for the communique changes.
