China’s continued efforts to inject geopolitical rivalry into the region and disrupt Pacific nations’ discussions of regional issues warrant greater international attention, a foreign affairs official said yesterday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) last week led a delegation to diplomatic ally Palau to attend events related to the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) summit. However, the absence of some member-state leaders has been interpreted by some people as a sign of fracturing in Pacific unity.

Thirteen PIF members were represented by their heads of state or government, while Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Samoa sent ministerial-level representatives, a diplomatic official said on condition of anonymity.

Photo: CNA

Last year, Nauru was represented by a minister, while Samoa sent a senior government official.

The absence of some leaders was not unprecedented, the official said, adding that judging “cracks” in Pacific unity solely by changes in the level of representation would be an oversimplification and fail to reflect the PIF’s actual situation.

Taiwan has participated in PIF-related mechanisms since 1993 under the name “Taiwan/Republic of China” as a “development partner,” they said.

The nation has long respected the “Pacific Way,” which emphasizes mutual respect, consensus and solidarity, and has continued to make substantive contributions through regional mechanisms, including supporting the Pacific Resilience Facility and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the official said.

By contrast, China’s actions over the past few years have increasingly raised concerns among Pacific nations over their security and political autonomy, they said.

Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr had called on countries conducting intercontinental ballistic missile tests, such as China in July, to “ensure transparency and provide at least 24 hours’ advance notice,” the official said.

However, Nauru opposed the call, they added.

That highlighted a genuine challenge to “Pacific unity,” as some countries with close ties to Beijing showed that they were unwilling to support efforts by Pacific leaders to forge a common position on security issues, the official said.

Pacific unity should not be judged solely by leaders’ attendance at summits, but by whether countries can continue to independently develop a collective voice on issues of common concern, they added.

Taiwan supports the regional agenda led by the PIF and has never asked Pacific nations to choose between Taipei and Beijing, the official said.

Meanwhile, China has continued to heighten regional security concerns through its military activities and use of political influence to hinder PIF members from reaching common positions, highlighting the stark contrast between the two sides’ roles and approaches in the Pacific, they said.