Pacific Islands Forum opens in Palau amid Taiwan controversy

The Pacific Islands Forum, the region’s premier intergovernmental gathering of 18 member states, opened on Monday in Palau with leaders convening to discuss cooperation on security, climate resilience and economic development. The two‑day summit, hosted by President Surangel Whipps, aims to reinforce collective strategies for maritime safety, disaster response and sustainable growth across the Pacific basin.

On the eve of the forum, Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia‑lung joined President Whipps in a ceremony that saw Taipei donate a fleet of electric buses to Palau’s public transport system. China lodged a formal protest, arguing that Taiwan’s participation undermines the “One‑China” principle. Charles Parton, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that the donation underscores Taiwan’s growing diplomatic outreach in the Pacific, while also highlighting the geopolitical sensitivities that the forum must navigate as member states balance external influences with regional priorities.