Solomon Islands Excludes US, China, Donors From Pacific Forum

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele announced that 21 donor countries, including the United States and China, will be excluded from the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum hosted by Solomon Islands. This decision follows Beijing's pressure to exclude Taiwan, as three Pacific island states maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan rather than China, raising concerns about Taiwanese officials' participation. Manele cited an incomplete review of each country's relationship with the Pacific as the reason for barring dialogue partners from the forum, which has sparked criticism from opposition figures like Peter Kenilorea Jr., who called it a "missed opportunity" for aid-dependent Pacific nations to engage with global donors. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine condemned what she described as Chinese interference in the forum, referencing China's previous influence over communique language to remove mentions of Taiwan. The move has intensified fears of increased factionalism within the Pacific Islands Forum amid growing geopolitical competition between the United States and China. Despite the exclusion of these donor nations, regional foreign ministers are set to meet in Fiji to address the tensions and concerns surrounding the forum.