Archive · 15 Sep 2026
US Backs Taiwan’s Pacific Forum Role, Warns of China
The United States said Taiwan should keep participating in the Pacific Islands Forum.
Taiwan has been a development partner in the forum since 1992.
U.S. official Matt Murray called Taiwan a reliable and democratic partner.
He said Pacific countries should decide how the forum handles Taiwan’s role.
The United States accused China of several harmful activities in the Pacific.
These included illegal fishing, corruption, economic pressure and environmental damage.
Murray said U.S. engagement is not only about opposing China.
He said the United States also wants stronger partnerships and cooperation with Pacific nations.
The United States strongly backed Taiwan’s continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum.
Taiwan has been a Pacific Islands Forum development partner since 1992.
The United States accused China of economic coercion, illegal fishing, corruption and environmental degradation in the Pacific.
Matt Murray said Pacific Island countries should determine how the forum handles Taiwan’s participation.
U.S. priorities include energy security, digital connectivity, maritime security and economic cooperation.
- Who
- The United States, Taiwan, China, Matt Murray and Pacific Island countries.
- What
- The United States backed Taiwan’s continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum and criticized China’s activities in the Pacific.
- When
- The statements were made on Tuesday, during discussion of the recent Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.
- Where
- The issue concerns the Pacific region and the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Palau.
- Why
- The United States said Taiwan contributes to Pacific development and that stronger regional partnerships support shared economic and security interests.
- Taiwan’s forum status
- Taiwan has been a development partner of the Pacific Islands Forum since 1992.
- U.S. position
- The United States strongly supports Taiwan’s continued participation.
- Concerns about China
- The United States cited illegal fishing, elite capture, corruption, economic coercion and environmental degradation.
- Regional priorities
- U.S. priorities include energy security, digital connectivity, maritime security and economic cooperation.
- Maritime cooperation
- The United States is expanding cooperation with Pacific nations on drug trafficking, illegal fishing and maritime-domain awareness.
- Solomon Islands
- The United States welcomed Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s foreign-policy approach and said it wanted to remain a partner.