China-Taiwan friction clouds Pacific summit
The 18-member Pacific Islands Forum is being hosted by Palau, which invited its diplomatic ally Taiwan to attend as an aid partner, alongside China and other non-Pacific countries.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed China's warning that the tourism-dependent nation of Palau is unsafe for travelers. At the annual Pacific Islands Forum, which is being hosted by Palau, China objected to Taiwan's participation as an aid partner. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Chinese officials also cautioned Pacific leaders and ministers against attending side events where Taiwan is participating.
The Pacific Islands Forum, a gathering of 18 Pacific nations, is primarily a forum for Pacific leaders to discuss issues. Australian PM Albanese emphasized that the forum is determined by the Pacific Islands Forum, not by any other country. He also rejected China's warning about safety in Palau, describing it as a paradise. Five leaders out of the 18 forum members will not attend this year's meeting, sending lower-ranked ministers instead. Topics on the agenda include combating drug crime and addressing climate change.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
