Pacific leaders remove Taiwan from communique after China complaint
31/8/2024 12:25
The Pacific Islands Forum has removed references to Taiwan from a communique issued on Friday after the region's annual leaders meeting, after complaints by China's envoy.
The bloc of 18 nations includes three members with diplomatic ties to Taiwan, and 15 members who recognise China, a major infrastructure lender to Pacific Islands countries where Beijing is seeking to increase its security presence.
A communique released on Friday on the forum's website included a section headed "Relations with Taiwan/Republic of China", stating "Leaders reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China".
The communique was removed from the website on Friday evening after an angry response from China, and a new document was posted on Saturday morning with the references to Taiwan removed.
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