With the next Pacific Islands Forum poised to convene in Honiara next month, the Solomon Islands’ decision to exclude all external dialogue partners has reignited debate over the cost of regional compromise and the Pacific’s ability to chart an independent course.
Announcing the move earlier this month, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele confirmed that 21 donor nations would be excluded from the annual summit of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which the Solomon Islands will host from September 8 to 12.
The decision reportedly follows pressure from Beijing to prevent Taiwan’s participation.
The Solomon Islands, which switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 2019, is one of China’s closest security partners in the Pacific.
Its freezing out of dialogue partners from next month’s forum has stirred tensions among Pacific nations, especially those that maintain formal ties with Taiwan – namely the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu – who had earlier expressed concern that Taiwanese officials would be barred from entry.
Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, to be reunified by force if necessary. While most countries, including the US, do not formally recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, many oppose any use of force against the self-governed island.
