Tensions between China and Taiwan surfaced at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Palau, highlighting ongoing disputes over Taiwan’s status and influence in the region. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended the opening ceremony of the forum on Monday, drawing sharp criticism from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

The forum, consisting of 18 Pacific island nations, is being hosted by Palau, one of Taiwan’s few diplomatic partners. Palau invited Taiwan to participate in sideline events as an aid partner, alongside China and other non-Pacific countries. China’s Pacific envoy, Qian Bo, warned of “consequences” following Lin’s presence at the ceremony, asserting that Taiwan’s involvement was inappropriate. “We have made our position very clear to the government of Palau and to Secretariat,” Qian said, emphasizing that Taiwan’s participation “should not have happened.”

In response on Tuesday, Lin defended Taiwan’s role, noting that it has participated in the summit for decades, including at opening ceremonies. Despite Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the forum shrinking to just three members, Lin emphasized the island’s significant aid contributions to the Pacific region. “We should not make compromises just because of China bullying,” he told reporters.

Lin highlighted China’s growing security influence in the Pacific, particularly after the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in recent years. He pointed to the forum’s failure to reach a joint statement condemning China’s recent missile test as evidence of Beijing’s increasing sway. “Wherever there is Taiwan’s presence, China will have a difficult time having full control over the area,” Lin said.

Chinese officials have reportedly cautioned Pacific leaders and ministers against attending side events in Palau involving Taiwan, according to a Pacific source present at the meeting. At a daily press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reitered that Taiwan “is not qualified to participate in the forum’s activities in any capacity.” He accused Taiwanese authorities of sending “independence separatists such as Lin Chia-lung” on covert trips aimed at garnering international support.

The developments at the Pacific Islands Forum underscore the delicate balance regional countries navigate amid intensifying China–Taiwan rivalry. Taiwan’s continued engagement in aid and diplomacy in the Pacific remains a point of contention with Beijing as each side vies for influence.