Solomon Islands Excludes US, China from Forum Meeting
Published on 8.9.25
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has announced that 21 donor countries, including the US and China, will not be invited to the Pacific Island Forum's top political meeting in September due to pressure from Beijing to exclude Taiwan. The decision follows Solomon Islands' switch in ties from Taiwan to China in 2019. Manele cited a lack of review on each country's relationship with the Pacific as the reason for excluding dialogue partners, but the US and Taiwan have expressed disappointment and urged the PIF to maintain its existing arrangements and allow Taiwan's participation.