Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang would hold a summit with its three Pacific allies to strengthen its partnership…reports Asian Lite News
A Deputy Taiwan Foreign Minister will attend this week’s meeting of Pacific Islands leaders in Tonga, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, as China and the US jostle for influence in the region.
The Pacific is also an area of competition between Taipei and Beijing, as China whittles away at the number of countries which maintain formal diplomatic relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang would hold a summit with its three Pacific allies to strengthen its partnership with them and other “like-minded countries”, a reference to Western democracies such as the US and Australia.
In January, shortly after Lai Ching-te won the election as Taiwan’s new President, Nauru switched ties from Taipei to Beijing, in what Taiwan’s government said was part of a sustained Chinese pressure campaign.
Three countries – Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands – have stuck with Taiwan.
In 2018, Nauru, then still an ally of Taiwan’s, blasted an “insolent” China for speaking out of turn at the Pacific Islands Forum. Nauru had recognised China before, between 2002 and 2005.
Taiwan has taken part in the forum since 1993 as a development partner under the name of “Taiwan/Republic of China”.
China says democratically governed Taiwan is one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties, a position hotly disputed by the government in Taipei.
Climate change and security are expected to dominate discussions at this week’s meeting of the 18 Pacific Islands leaders. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will also be going.
Taiwan and Tonga had diplomatic ties from 1972 until 1998 when the country switched recognition to Beijing and broke off relations with Taipei. Only 12 countries now maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Taiwan reports increased military activity
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that that it detected 12 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels from 6 am (local time) on Sunday.
Six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), Taiwan’s MND said.
In a post on X, Taiwan’s MND said, “12 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 5 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
This adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. Reportedly, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.
Earlier on Sunday, the Taiwanese MND detected 12 PLA (People’s Liberation Army) aircraft and eight PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels around its territory.
The MND stated that seven aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s Eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
“12 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” the Defence Ministry stated.
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