China expresses dissatisfaction with Taiwan's participation in the Pacific Forum and warns of consequences

China has expressed its displeasure over Taiwan's participation in the Pacific Islands Forum and warned of consequences.

A Chinese official warned of consequences after Taiwan attended the opening ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. China considers Taiwan its territory and that disagreement was evident at a meeting that was supposed to demonstrate regional unity.

"This will have its consequences. This is not a threat," said Xiang Bo, China's special representative for Pacific Islands Affairs. He did not specify what the consequences would be, but he said after the opening ceremony in Palau on August 31: "Everyone is against it. So this situation should not have happened. We think it is very unacceptable."

Palau, which consists of more than 500 islands, maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the Chinese envoy's remarks by saying, "What happens here is for the Pacific Islands Forum, not for any other country to decide." He added on September 1, "This is first and foremost a gathering of the Pacific family. I look forward to the dialogue."

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters echoed this sentiment, stressing that the group does not take instructions from outside countries.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on August 31, "Taiwan is happy to serve as a partner in the Pacific. It will continue to work with everyone to make the region more prosperous and peaceful." Lin Chia-lung has been invited to meetings and events at the forum. Taiwan is not an official dialogue partner of the forum, but a development partner. China, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, India and Japan are among the 21 dialogue partners.

China has gradually reduced the number of Pacific nations that have formal ties with Taiwan. Now, only three remain: Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.

The 18-member group includes Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island nations. The leaders of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati did not attend the summit, with ministers attending in their place.

Despite China being Australia’s largest trading partner, Canberra is concerned about Beijing’s growing influence in the region. Australia has been strengthening security and development ties with island nations to deter China’s continued military presence.

Australia, New Zealand and the United States have long seen the South Pacific as their sphere of influence. On September 1, New Zealand and the United States issued a joint statement during the summit, announcing that they would jointly fund the renovation of a World War II-era port in the Cook Islands.

It was previously reported that Taiwan would increase defense spending by 16 percent in 2027. The country's Cabinet was scheduled to present a defense budget of more than NT$1.1 trillion for 2027 on August 20.