Pacific leaders to meet in Palau amid China-Taiwan tension
Palau is among three members holding diplomatic ties with Taiwan and not China, a large creditor to many island states.
Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. (L) and Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung gesture after cutting a ribbon during the inauguration ceremony for Taiwan-funded solar energy and electric bus projects in Koror on Sunday, ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. | AFP-JIJI
Aug 30, 2026
Koror, Palau – Pacific island leaders will tackle transnational drug crime as they meet in Palau from Monday for a summit where tensions between Taiwan and China risk overshadowing regional priorities like climate change.
Palau, this year’s host of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, is among three members holding diplomatic ties with Taiwan and not China, a large creditor to many island states.
China, Taiwan and the United States are among the aid partners invited to the forum, although not the leaders’ meeting. Beijing has protested Taiwan’s invitation.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
SUBSCRIBE NOW