Palau president wants Taiwan to get a fair go at PIF

President Surangel Whipps Jr. at his first state visit to Taiwan in May 2025 after the inauguration of his second term.
Photo:
Supplied/ Office of the President
Palau's president wants to see Taiwan given full access at this year's Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders' meeting.
It was great to see 17 out of 18 leaders in Tonga for last year's meeting, Surangel Whipps Jr said - a sense of unity he wants to continue.
"That's the record since we've gotten back together. Let's ensure that that continues, because that's what we need to see."
He said he has heard that "there's been some difficulty in Taiwan gaining access".
Whipps asked the PIF team to make sure they are doing all that it's responsible to do, to make sure the forum conference is a success, and everybody's there that's supposed to be able to participate.
A Solomon Islands Government spokesperson said at this stage the government is not in a position to comment on participation or related arrangements for the PIF Leaders' Summit.
They pointed out that the registration process for the summit has not yet opened and formal invitations will be issued in due course.
"As host, Solomon Islands continues to work closely with the Forum Secretariat and Forum Member countries on all preparations."
Whipps has just arrived back from a state visit to Taiwan, where its foreign minister Lin Chia-lung expressed his country's appreciation for Palau's consistent support on the international stage.
Three Forum members - Tuvalu, Palau and Marshall Islands - have diplomatic ties with Taiwan and not China.
Taiwan has been a development partner since 1992. China has been a dialogue partner of the PIF since 1990.
Last year,
RNZ Pacific captured
China's representative to the meeting in Tonga asking Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown to change the final communique which recognised Taiwan and China separately.
Earlier this month, Solomon Islands' prime minister Jeremiah Manele warned government workers against engaging with "Taiwan". In a statement, Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed his government's commitment to the One-China Policy.
The
ABC
reported a newly appointed government minister was pressured by China to quit an international group critical of its policies.
Beijing's Embassy in Honiara said the allegations are baseless.
It said China will never interfere in Solomon Islands internal affairs and also firmly oppose any other countries' interference in Solomon Islands' internal affairs.
The president of Kiribati, Taneti Maamau, and top diplomats from Niue, Tonga, Nauru, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa have been in China for a two-day meeting.
In a joint statement, published to the website of China's foreign affairs ministry, the parties said: "All parties recognize that there is but one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
"China firmly opposes 'Taiwan independence' in all forms and commits to realizing national reunification, which has gained wide understanding and support at the meeting.
"China firmly supports Pacific Island countries in upholding their sovereignty and independence."
Meanwhile, a regional architecture review (RRA) has entered its final stage.
It's the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' response to the increasing interest from a growing number of Forum dialogue partners wanting a seat - and a say - at the regional decision-making table.
Palau's president has made it clear to the RRA committee that, "it is important that all our partners are able to be present at PIF".

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scoop

2 days ago

• Scoop

PM Luxon Meets With President Xi Jinping

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 'My meeting with President Xi was a valuable opportunity to reflect on the depth and breadth of this important relationship, and to reaffirm our bilateral ties,' Mr Luxon says. 'I outlined how our strong and innovative economic relationship has grown to cover a broad range of areas. Our trade and economic links are complementary and contribute to prosperity in both countries. These links also directly support New Zealand's ambition to grow our economy. 'We discussed the diversity of our people-to-people ties – from business, education, to cultural and science – and how they help build mutual understanding. I also welcomed progress made in increasing aviation links and tourism connections between our two countries.' Mr Luxon emphasised the importance of open, direct dialogue at the leader level to navigate some challenging regional and global developments. 'Engaging to share perspectives is more important than ever in a rapidly changing world. Where we have different views, our comprehensive and mature relationship allows New Zealand and China to speak frankly and constructively. 'I raised the importance to New Zealand of the international rules-based system, as well as the key role that China can play in helping to resolve global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine,' Mr Luxon says. Mr Luxon reaffirmed New Zealand's direct interest in the maintenance of peace, security and prosperity in the Pacific, our enduring support for Pacific-led priorities, and the central role of the Pacific Islands Forum. 'I also discussed the necessity of a stable region and reduced tensions in the Indo-Pacific' Mr Luxon says. While in Beijing, Mr Luxon will also meet with Premier Li Qiang and National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.

RNZ News

3 days ago

• RNZ News

Reinforcing the links between the law and Pacific fisheries' sectors

The Judicial Symposium 2025 opened on Wednesday in Honiara, bringing together Regional Chief Justices of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Justice experts and fisheries officials from throughout the Pacific are gathered in Honiara in Solomon Islands to discuss the importance of links between the two sectors. According to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), tuna fisheries is worth $2 to $3 billion per year in the national waters of its Pacific Island member nations. The Judicial Symposium has the theme "Recent Developments in International Fisheries Law". Solomons Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer told the delegates the meeting is a platform "to reinforce our collective responsibility, deepen our regional legal coherence, and inspire judicial innovation in the face of emerging environmental and legal complexities." The Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office oversees a successful model of fisheries management. Photo: Facebook/PNA Tuna FFA director general Noan Pakop highlighted the importance of strong judicial systems in protecting the Pacific's tuna fisheries. He said "too often, discussions on fisheries management emphasise the roles of scientists or negotiators. But it is our courts that deliver rulings which not only resolve disputes but also create enduring legal precedent." "The law is the compass by which we navigate the stewardship of our ocean. And our judiciary is the anchor that ensures our course remains just, consistent, and resilient." Delegates are exploring key international legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal and flag State obligations, enforcement challenges, responses to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and climate change. The FFA said the Judicial Symposium is part of its long-standing commitment to support robust legal and institutional frameworks in the region.

RNZ News

4 days ago

• RNZ News

Pacific news in brief for 18 June

Last year, the late Kiingi Tuheitia and Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Toa Ariki signed a treaty that seeks to grant more protections for whales. Photo: Supplied: Operation Cetaces Tonga's princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho is backing other Pacific leaders to grant whales legal personhood. Last year, the late Kiingi Tuheitia and Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Toa Ariki signed He Whakaputanga Moana, a treaty that seeks to grant more protections for whales. The University of Auckland's Dr Justin Sorbion said the treaty is a win for the Pacific. However, he told Pacific Waves it would not stop harmful activity against whales. "So just the fact that you are saying that whales have a legal personality, that's not going to stop the problem," he said. "But especially for the present generations - and the future generations - it shows that they have legal standing." Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Australia's bid to host the COP31 climate summit came up during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Fiji. During the trip, Albanese and Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka reaffirmed their commitment to the advancement of the Vuvale Partnership. Albanese said the pair discussed the significant impact of climate change internationally and particularly in the Pacific region, and Australia's COP31 bid in partnership with the Pacific. This year's COP30 will be hosted by Belem, Brazil. Two executives of a Papua New Guinea Government-owned company are being sought by police for allegedly paying 2.4 million kina in unauthorised security arrangements. NBC reported that NiuSky Pacific Limited's acting managing director Graham Blythe and the board chair, Robin Kawat, are wanted by police. Police assistant commissioner, Benjamin Turi, said both men have evaded police efforts to bring them in for questioning over alleged payments made to 23 regular police officers and 13 police impersonators in 2023 and 2024. He told NBC News the warrant of arrest is already out, and they expect both men to comply and come forward to police, or they will use force to bring them in. Police say the two NiuSky executives authorised the payments for security services to the state-owned air navigation service provider without legal clearance or proper engagement procedures. Community leaders and civil society organisations are urging Solomon Islands citizens to get involved in public consultations on the Mineral Resources Bill. The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation said the bill could significantly reshape how mining operations are approved, monitored, and enforced. The legislation would give the national government broader authority over mineral resources, impacting land rights, the environment, and the community's role in decision-making. Organisations such as the Development Services Exchange, Apunepara Ha'amwa'ora Natural Resources Association, and the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination, want everyone to join in the public submission process. They say the bill would conflict with the Constitution and the international obligations the Solomons has. The Chiefs of Army of New Zealand and Australia have combined for a joint visit to Timor-Leste. Topics of discussion included shared security priorities, a number of upcoming exercises and planned cooperation. There were also 'positive discussions' around assisting Timor Leste's defence forces to be able to realise a key ambition - to further contribute to United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world. Australia's Chief of Army lieutenant-general Simon Stuart said Timor-Leste is an important security partner to both Australia and New Zealand.