by Jake Sanders, Editor
Taiwan has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat to extend its support for the organization from next year until 2027, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
During the annual Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue in Tonga on Friday, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang and a representative from the PIF Secretariat signed the agreement, according to a ministry press release.
The ministry did not disclose specific details about the three-year agreement, such as the amount of financial support, but stated that it “demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment and support for the development of the Pacific region.”
台灣與太平洋島國論壇（PIF）秘書處簽署了一項合作協議，計劃從明年起至2027年延續對該組織的支持，外交部昨日宣布。
根據外交部的新聞稿，在周五於湯加舉行的年度台灣/中華民國-論壇國家對話會上，外交部副部長田中廣與PIF秘書處代表簽署了該協議。
外交部沒有透露這項為期三年的協議的具體細節，例如財政支持的金額，但表示這“體現了台灣對太平洋地區發展的承諾和支持。”
The meeting marked the 29th edition of the Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue, organized by the PIF Secretariat.
Co-hosted by Marshallese President Hilda Heine and PIF Secretariat Deputy Secretary-General Desna Solofa, the event included representatives from Palau and Tuvalu, both of which are Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific.
Tien led a delegation to Tonga for this meeting, which coincided with the annual PIF summit held from Monday to Friday last week.
Although Taiwan is not a member of the 18-member PIF, it has actively participated as a “development partner” since 1993. Nonmembers like China, the US, Japan, Canada, and the EU also join the annual forum and other PIF events as “dialogue partners.”
Over the years, Taiwan has invested in various projects throughout the Pacific, focusing on agriculture, education, healthcare, public health, information and communications technology, women’s empowerment, clean energy, and basic infrastructure to enhance the well-being of the region’s inhabitants, according to the foreign ministry.
During this year’s summit, the Solomon Islands, which shifted its recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, suggested barring Taiwan from PIF events, reportedly under China’s direction. This proposal was rejected, thanks to the backing of Taiwan’s three allies—Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—as well as Australia and New Zealand.
However, a PIF communiqué that initially expressed support for Taiwan was later modified to omit any mention of Taiwan due to Chinese pressure.
The foreign ministry criticized China’s “irrational behavior,” which it claims threatens regional peace and stability, urging like-minded nations to monitor Beijing’s actions and protect the stable development of Pacific island countries.
It emphasized that the communiqué would not impact Taiwan’s status within PIF or its right to participate in its events, expressing gratitude to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and supportive nations for their commitment to Taiwan’s ongoing involvement in the PIF.
會議標誌着台灣/中華民國-論壇國家對話的第29屆，由太平洋島國論壇秘書處組織。
由馬紹爾群島總統希爾達·海因和太平洋島國論壇秘書處副秘書長德斯娜·索洛法共同主辦，該活動吸引了來自帕勞和圖瓦盧的代表，這兩個國家是台灣在太平洋的外交盟友。
田副部長率領代表團前往湯加參加此次會議，會議恰逢上周一至周五舉行的年度太平洋島國論壇峰會。
儘管台灣不是18個成員國的太平洋島國論壇（PIF）成員，但自1993年以來，它作為“發展夥伴”積极參与。中國、美國、日本、加拿大和歐盟等非成員國也作為“對話夥伴”參加年度論壇及其他PIF活動。
根據外交部的說法，多年來，台灣在太平洋地區投資了多個項目，重點關注農業、教育、醫療保健、公共衛生、信息與通訊技術、婦女賦權、清潔能源和基礎設施，以提升該地區居民的福祉。
在今年的峰會上，所羅門群島在2019年將其承認從台灣轉向北京后，建議禁止台灣參加PIF活動， reportedly 在中國的指示下。由於台灣的三個盟友——馬紹爾群島、圖瓦盧和帕勞，以及澳大利亞和新西蘭的支持，該提案被拒絕。
然而，最初表達對台灣支持的PIF公報在中國的壓力下被修改，未再提及台灣。
外交部批評中國的“非理性行為”，稱其威脅到地區和平與穩定，呼籲志同道合的國家關注北京的行動，保護太平洋島國的穩定發展。
外交部強調，該公報不會影響台灣在PIF中的地位或參與其活動的權利，並對台灣的外交盟友和支持國家為台灣持續參與PIF所做的努力表示感謝
