At least five leaders skip Pacific Islands summit - Taipei Times

TAIWAN-CHINA ISSUE:

Beijing has protested Taiwan’s inclusion in the 18-member state forum, which is being hosted by Palau, an ally of Taiwan

At least five leaders would skip the Pacific Island region’s annual summit, officials said yesterday, hours before the opening of talks overshadowed by Taiwan-China tensions.The gathering aims to grapple with challenges such as climate change, drug crime and the Chinese test-firing of a ballistic missile in July that landed in the Pacific Ocean.China’s security and economic influence has added resonance this year, because the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum is being hosted by Palau, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan.

Leaders of the Pacific Islands attend the Ocean Partnership Roundtable in Koror on Sunday, ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

Beijing has protested against Taiwan’s inclusion among aid partners invited to attend along with China, Singapore, Japan, the UK and the US.China has also declared Palau an “unsafe” place for tourists.