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https://theconversation.com/with-global-powers-barred-can-pacific-nations-find-unity-at-their-annual-summit-264331>
"It’s been a testing time for Pacific regional unity.
So far this year, there have been rifts between Cook Islands and New Zealand
over security arrangements with China; New Caledonia and France over
independence for the French territory; and among various Pacific nations over
deep-sea mining.
Now, geopolitical tussles are buffeting the annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
leaders’ meeting, held this week in Solomon Islands.
As regional leaders began preparing for their apex annual summit, there were
disagreements over the regular dialogue with Pacific development partners held
after the main meeting. Development partners include major outside powers such
as the United States, China, France, United Kingdom and Japan, among others.
Last month, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele called off the
meeting with these global partners. He argued that excluding outsiders will
allow time to complete a review among members on how such external engagements
occur.
However, most believe he was bowing to Chinese pressure to exclude Taiwan –
Solomon Islands switched its allegiance from Taipei to Beijing in 2019.
Chinese rhetoric against Taiwan is sharpening. Earlier this year, a
spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in New Zealand was blunt about the
inclusion of Taiwan in the Pacific Islands Forum:
Taiwan is a province of China […] and has no qualification or right to
participate in Forum activities whatsoever.
At last year’s summit in Tonga, China’s special envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo,
flexed his diplomatic muscles and insisted on the removal of a mention of
Taiwan from the final communique.
Even so, the PIF
1992 Honiara Declaration does sanction a Taiwan dialogue
during the annual gathering for those wanting to meet on a bilateral basis —
that arrangement has persisted for more than three decades.
Next year’s host Palau will reinstate the more inclusive status quo.
An official statement from Taiwan ahead of this year’s forum makes clear it is
in the region to stay:
We firmly believe in the inclusive spirit of “The Pacific Way” [and…] look
forward to ongoing participation in the PIF."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
