China threatens Pacific nations over Taiwan’s inclusion at summit

China threatens Pacific nations over Taiwan’s inclusion at summit  The Times

The 18 member states and territories of the Pacific Islands Forum, which opened its annual summit in Palau's largest city Koror on Monday (local time), do not include China, the United States or Taiwan.

China warned of “consequences” for Taiwan after officials from Beijing and Taipei attended a ceremonial event at a Pacific leaders summit, where major powers already had been urged to restrain from turning a meeting of mostly small island countries into a geopolitical sideshow.

China has warned of consequences for Taiwan after officials from Beijing and Taipei attended a Pacific leaders summit

China has warned of consequences for Taiwan after officials from Beijing and Taipei attended a Pacific leaders summit

China warns of ‘consequences’ for Taiwan after Taipei envoys attend Pacific leaders summit  AP News

There are concerns tensions between China and Taiwan could explode into the open at this year's meeting, distracting from the key Pacific priorities.

The annual Pacific Islands Forum begins on Monday in Palau, bringing together the 18-member intergovernmental organisation to discuss regional cooperation and security. On Sunday, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung joined Palau President Surangel Whipps at a ceremony to hand over a fleet of electric buses donated