by Byron Louis, Staff Writer
A deputy foreign minister from Taiwan is set to participate in this week’s gathering of Pacific Islands leaders in Tonga, as announced by Taiwan’s foreign ministry on Sunday. This meeting comes amid ongoing competition for influence in the region between China and the United States.
The Pacific is a key battleground for both Taipei and Beijing, particularly as China reduces the number of nations that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which it claims as its own. Currently, only three countries—Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands—continue to support Taiwan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang plans to hold a summit with these Pacific allies to bolster partnerships with them and other “like-minded countries,” referring to Western democracies like the U.S. and Australia.
Following the election of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, in January, Nauru shifted its allegiance from Taipei to Beijing, a move Taiwan attributes to ongoing Chinese pressure. Previously, in 2018, while still allied with Taiwan, Nauru criticized China for its behavior at the Pacific Islands Forum, having recognized China from 2002 to 2005.
Since 1993, Taiwan has participated in the forum as a development partner under the name “Taiwan/Republic of China,” which is its official title. China, however, claims Taiwan as a province with no right to international relations, a stance that is strongly contested by Taipei.
This week’s discussions among the 18 Pacific Islands leaders are expected to focus on climate change and security issues. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will also be in attendance.
Taiwan and Tonga had diplomatic relations from 1972 until 1998, when Tonga switched its recognition to Beijing, ending its ties with Taipei. Currently, only 12 countries maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.