TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US strongly supports Taiwan’s continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum and considers it a reliable partner in the Pacific, the State Department said Friday.
The 55th PIF Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 4 in Palau. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) is leading a delegation from Aug. 27 to Sept. 3 to attend summit-related activities and meet with representatives from Pacific diplomatic allies.
A State Department spokesperson said Taiwan has been a PIF development partner for more than 30 years, per CNA. It is a reliable, like-minded and democratic partner that makes important contributions to prosperity and economic development across the Pacific region, the spokesperson said.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is also scheduled to attend the PIF Leaders’ Meeting with Forum Dialogue Partners as part of a regional tour from Aug. 31 to Sept. 11.
The State Department said the Trump administration recognizes the importance of its Pacific island partners. The department added that it remains committed to maintaining an “open, secure and prosperous Pacific” as China expands its influence in the region.
PIF has 18 members, including Taiwan’s three Pacific diplomatic allies Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu. Taiwan joined the forum in 1993, however, it was not invited to last year’s forum in the Solomon Islands after pressure from Beijing.
