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Beijing accuses Pacific forum host Palau of 'hype' over its missile test

Beijing accuses Pacific forum host Palau of 'hype' over its missile test

By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Beijing has accused Palau of "hype" over its Pacific missile test, after the host of the regional Pacific Islands Forum on Thursday urged the group to condemn China's launch, on the final day of a summit dominated by a dispute between Beijing and Taiwan. 
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Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Stormy weather can send the Pacific Ocean flooding into people's homes in small, remote island nations
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Australia, US commit $580 million to support Pacific Island nations

Australia, US commit $580 million to support Pacific Island nations

By Alasdair Pal and Kanishka Singh SYDNEY/WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Australia and the United States on Wednesday announced a combined $580 million in funding for the Pacific Islands as they battle China for influence in the region.
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Gwangju City Government Apologizes to China Over 'Taiwan Pavilion' Naming at Biennale

Gwangju City Government Apologizes to China Over 'Taiwan Pavilion' Naming at Biennale

The city government of Gwangju, South Korea, has issued a formal apology to mainland China following a controversy over the naming of an exhibition as the 'Taiwan Pavilion' at the Gwangju Biennale. Initially, the Gwangju Biennale Foundation (GBF) had named Taiwan's pavilion after its sponsoring institution, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art (NTMoFA). This decision sparked protests from Taiwan's ministry of culture and the participating artists, who claimed the naming was done without their permission. On August 25, GBF renamed the exhibition the 'Taiwan Pavilion.' Subsequently, on August 27, China's ambassador to South Korea, Dai Bing, informed Gwangju's mayor, Min Hyung-bae, that China's Gwangju pavilion would be suspended as a result. In response, Jeonnam Gwangju City reiterated its support for the 'One China Policy' and pledged to investigate the setbacks that occurred during event preparations. The city clarified that the 'Taiwan Pavilion' title was merely an artistic expression and did not signif...
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Taiwan Considers New Sanctions Strategy to Leverage 'Silicon Shield' Against Adversaries

Taiwan Considers New Sanctions Strategy to Leverage 'Silicon Shield' Against Adversaries

Taiwan is reportedly considering a more assertive sanctions strategy, moving beyond its current approach of primarily following international restrictions. Despite its advanced chip manufacturing industry, often called its 'silicon shield,' Taiwan has been reluctant to fully utilize its economic strengths to constrain adversaries. This reluctance has allowed countries like China, Russia, and the Myanmar junta to act against Taiwan's interests and even use Taiwan as a means to evade sanctions imposed by other democracies. Taiwan has previously applied export controls to Chinese tech giants like Huawei and is now planning to introduce curbs on advanced chips to all customers in China, not just designated companies. However, Taiwanese officials remain hesitant to restrict exports in the semiconductor sector, which is crucial for its economic growth. The current political landscape in Taiwan, with the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) controlling the Legislative Yuan, presents a challenge, as the KMT generally suppo...
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Angela Merkel Condemns Vladimir Putin's Actions in Ukraine, Citing No Justification

Angela Merkel Condemns Vladimir Putin's Actions in Ukraine, Citing No Justification

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has strongly criticized Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, stating there is no justification for his actions. In an interview with Stirile PRO TV, Merkel described the invasion as Putin's 'terrible testament' and asserted that he destroyed the post-World War II order that was painstakingly rebuilt. Merkel, who was in Bucharest to launch her memoir 'Freedom,' defended her past decisions, including continuing business relations with Russia even after the annexation of Crimea. She emphasized that Putin's attempt to reconstitute a defunct empire is unacceptable and that his actions in February 2022 will forever be associated with his name. Merkel also expressed hope that Putin would not escalate the conflict to nuclear warfare, believing that such a move would lead to an immediate loss of support from China.
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China warns of 'consequences' for Taiwan after Taipei envoys attend Pacific leaders summit

China warns of 'consequences' for Taiwan after Taipei envoys attend Pacific leaders summit

China has warned of consequences for Taiwan after officials from Beijing and Taipei attended a Pacific leaders summit
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China warns of 'consequences' over Taiwan presence at Pacific leaders meeting

China warns of 'consequences' over Taiwan presence at Pacific leaders meeting

By Renju Jose and Lucy Craymer SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China said it had serious concerns about Taiwan's presence at the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, warning of "consequences" after the democratically ruled island attended the group's opening ceremony on Monday.
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China-Taiwan tensions weigh on Pacific leaders meeting

China-Taiwan tensions weigh on Pacific leaders meeting

By Lucy Craymer and Lewis Jackson WELLINGTON/BEIJING, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China on Tuesday objected to Taiwan's presence at the Pacific Islands Forum saying the democratically ruled island was not qualified to attend the summit, but Australia and New Zealand said the Pacific bloc would decide the
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CSIS Details Taiwan's Role in Counteracting Chinese Influence in the Caribbean Through Development Work

CSIS Details Taiwan's Role in Counteracting Chinese Influence in the Caribbean Through Development Work

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has published an analysis highlighting Taiwan's development work in the Caribbean as a strategy to counteract China's growing influence in the region. The commentary, authored by Juliana Rubio and Kaela Werchniak, focuses on the five remaining Caribbean countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan: Belize, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These nations are seen as crucial in balancing Beijing's expanding presence in maritime logistics, transport corridors, digital networks, and other critical infrastructure. The report emphasizes that supporting these countries' development is vital for their stability amidst climate shocks, migration pressures, and socio-economic challenges, particularly in resisting coercive influence from abroad. Enhanced international partnerships involving Taiwan and like-minded actors are presented as a means to offer alternatives to China for financing, technical ass...
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New Zealand, US to fund Cook Islands port upgrade

New Zealand, US to fund Cook Islands port upgrade

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand and the U.S. will jointly fund a major upgrade of a World War Two port on a Cook Islands atoll, the three governments said on Tuesday, in a fresh sign of Western efforts to reinforce ties in a Pacific region that is increasingly being