Tuvalu considers withdrawing from pacific summit amid China-Taiwan tensions

Sunday 17 August 2025 - 12:00

Tuvalu is considering pulling out of the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Honiara next month after host Solomon Islands announced that no external dialogue partners, including China, the US, and Taiwan, would be allowed to attend.

Prime Minister Feletei Teo expressed disappointment at the last-minute exclusion, noting that the region should focus on pressing issues rather than external pressures. Tuvalu, along with the Marshall Islands and Palau, maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a factor that Beijing regards as a challenge to its One China policy.

Teo said he had communicated his concerns to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and will wait for other Pacific leaders’ responses before making a final decision. The exclusion of external partners breaks with decades of precedent, raising questions about China’s growing influence in the Pacific.

The US and Taiwan have voiced disappointment and urged that all partners be allowed to participate. Meanwhile, Palau, which will host the forum in 2026, has respected Honiara’s decision, emphasizing the importance of focusing on intra-regional issues this year.

Experts note that Solomon Islands’ move may aim to avoid taking a direct stance between China and Taiwan, while concerns persist over the impact of Beijing’s influence on regional development dialogue and climate funding.