Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo has warned that his country may skip next month’s key regional political meeting after host nation Solomon Islands decided to bar all external partners—including China, the U.S., and Taiwan—from attending.
The Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting is scheduled for September in Honiara. On August 7, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele announced that no dialogue partners would be invited to the annual gathering.
Since 1989, countries outside the Pacific—known as “dialogue partners”—have participated in the forum to collaborate with regional leaders on development and security issues. Although not an official partner, Taiwan has attended for over 30 years as a “development partner.”
The decision by Honiara, a close ally of China, has sparked speculation that the move was intended to exclude Taiwan. It has also raised concerns about China’s growing influence in Pacific diplomacy and whether regional unity can withstand such pressures.
Tuvalu, along with the Marshall Islands and Palau, are the only Pacific nations that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan—a stance Beijing sees as a challenge to its One China policy.
In an interview with The Guardian, Teo expressed disappointment at the last-minute exclusion of external partners and said he would wait to see how other Pacific leaders respond before deciding whether to attend.
“The region doesn’t need these kinds of distractions,” Teo said. “We have far more important issues to focus on, rather than letting ourselves be pressured from outside.”
Teo said he had written to Manele, raising concerns about the timing of the decision and questioning its justification.
“We’ll see how other leaders respond to Solomon Islands’ proposal before making our decision,” he said. “I’ll wait for the final arrangements and then reconsider my participation.”
The annual forum is the primary platform for Pacific leaders to shape regional policies. Teo said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if China influenced the decision to block partners, calling the move a break from decades of tradition.
“There’s no denying China is trying to expand its footprint in the Pacific—and so is the U.S.,” Teo said. “We need their development assistance, but we don’t need competition and conflict overshadowing our regional priorities.”
The Guardian reached out to China’s embassy in Honiara for comment.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Washington was “disappointed” by the exclusion of partners and reiterated support for Taiwan’s participation.
“All forum partners, including Taiwan, should be invited—just as countries with ties to Taiwan invite all dialogue partners, including China,” the spokesperson said.
Taiwan urged maintaining existing arrangements, saying its participation would “strengthen cooperation.”
Not all of Taiwan’s Pacific allies opposed the decision. Palau, which will host the forum in 2026, said it “respects” Solomon Islands’ choice, adding that it allows members to focus on regional issues.This year’s forum comes after the Solomon Islands switched its diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in 2019. Three years later, the two countries signed a contentious security pact. Honiara has also received substantial Chinese funding, including a recent $1 million donation to purchase 27 vehicles for transporting delegates during the forum.
Dr. Sarina Theys, a senior lecturer in diplomacy and international affairs at the University of the South Pacific, suggested that the Solomon Islands’ decision might be an effort to avoid openly siding with either China or Taiwan.
“The only way to do that is to simply not invite anyone,” Theys said.
Niuone Eliuta, first secretary at the Tuvalu High Commission in New Zealand, said he had “no doubt China is behind this decision” to exclude external partners from the upcoming forum.
“These days, China has significant influence over what happens in the Pacific,” Eliuta said, adding that shutting out donor partners could deprive countries of crucial support, such as climate funding.
“This is a temporary solution—removing development dialogue partners from the Solomon Islands,” Eliuta noted. “I just hope no countries withdraw from the PIF.”
Concerns about Beijing’s influence on the Forum are not new. At last year’s meeting in Tonga, sections of the Pacific leaders’ communiqué referencing Taiwan were altered—a move widely seen as a result of Chinese pressure. In 2022, two Chinese defense attachés were removed from the Forum’s meeting in Suva after being caught eavesdropping on a virtual address by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
FAQS
### FAQs About Tuvalu Possibly Skipping the Pacific Leaders’ Summit Due to Political Tensions Involving China
#### **Basic Questions**
**1. Why might Tuvalu skip the Pacific leaders’ summit?**
Tuvalu may skip the summit due to political tensions involving China, possibly over disagreements on regional alliances or diplomatic pressure.
**2. What is the Pacific leaders’ summit?**
It’s a meeting where leaders from Pacific Island nations discuss regional issues like climate change, security, and economic cooperation.
**3. How is China involved in this situation?**
China has been increasing its influence in the Pacific, which has caused tensions with some nations, including Tuvalu, over sovereignty and foreign policy.
**4. Has Tuvalu skipped summits before?**
Not usually—this would be unusual, suggesting heightened political concerns.
#### **Intermediate Questions**
**5. What are the political tensions between Tuvalu and China?**
Tuvalu recognizes Taiwan, not China, which goes against Beijing’s “One China” policy, creating friction.
**6. How does this affect other Pacific nations?**
Other countries may feel pressured to align with China or Western allies, causing divisions in regional unity.
**7. What could happen if Tuvalu boycotts the summit?**
It could weaken regional cooperation and signal growing fractures over China’s influence in the Pacific.
**8. Are other Pacific nations facing similar tensions?**
Yes, some, like Solomon Islands and Kiribati, have switched recognition to China, causing internal and regional debates.
#### **Advanced Questions**
**9. How does Tuvalu’s stance on Taiwan play into this?**
Tuvalu’s support for Taiwan angers China, which may lead to economic or diplomatic pressure, influencing its summit participation.
**10. Could this impact Tuvalu’s foreign aid?**
Possibly—China or allies like Australia might adjust aid or partnerships based on Tuvalu’s political choices.
**11. What role does the U.S. play in this tension?**
The U.S. supports Pacific nations resisting Chinese influence, possibly backing Tuvalu’s position.
**12. Are there security implications for the region?**
Yes—growing China-West rivalry in the Pacific could militarize the region or destabilize diplomatic ties.
#### **Practical Implications**
