Taiwan and Pacific Islands: Navigating Diplomatic Tides

Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang will attend a Pacific Islands leaders meeting in Tonga amid ongoing diplomatic jostling between China and the U.S. Taiwan seeks to strengthen ties with its few remaining allies in the region as China's influence grows. Climate change and security are key discussion points.

In a strategic diplomatic move, Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang will attend this week's Pacific Islands leaders' meeting in Tonga. The gathering comes as China and the U.S. vie for influence in the region, with Taiwan also seeking to bolster ties with its remaining allies.

Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang aims to strengthen Taiwan's partnership with its three Pacific allies—Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands—and other 'like-minded countries' such as the U.S. and Australia. This follows a recent shift by Nauru from Taipei to Beijing, part of what Taiwan describes as sustained Chinese pressure.

Since 1993, Taiwan has participated in the Pacific Islands Forum as a development partner. Currently, only 12 countries maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. This week's forum is expected to focus on pressing issues like climate change and regional security, with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell also in attendance.