Pro-Beijing Kiribati quits Pacific Islands Forum as US-China tensions overshadow summit

Kiribati President Taneti Maamau said in a letter his country had taken ‘the sovereign decision’ to withdraw from the 51-year-old forum ‘with immediate effect’

Pacific leaders are meeting in Fiji this week at a time when China is seeking to expand its diplomatic and security engagements in the region

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Kiribati’s President Taneti Maamau, left, pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in January 2020. Photo: AP

Published: 2:03pm, 11 Jul 2022

Tensions between China and the United States, and the withdrawal of the remote Pacific island nation of Kiribati, have overshadowed the Pacific Islands Forum as leaders arrived in Fiji on Monday for the first in-person summit in three years.

During the four-day meeting, Pacific island leaders will discuss how to gather more international support and funding to fight the impact of rising sea levels and climate change, as well as China’s ambitions for greater security ties across the region.

A bid by Beijing to sign a broader regional trade and security deal with 10 nations that recognise China, but is opposed by some forum members, was also to be discussed.

Tuvalu Foreign Minister Simon Kofe said in an interview he was saddened by news of Kiribati’s withdrawal and Pacific leaders would need to “look at the concerns raised by Kiribati” when they meet this week.

The central Pacific nation of 120,000 people said it had taken “the sovereign decision” to withdraw from the 51-year-old, Fiji-based Pacific Islands Forum “with immediate effect”.

Kiribati’s President Taneti Maamau shake hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in January 2020. Photo: AP

Kiribati President Taneti Maamau said in a letter his country would withdraw from the forum because it did not agree with secretary general Henry Puna continuing in the role, nor other terms of a deal brokered weeks ago to solve a rift between Micronesian states and other members. Kiribati also wanted the meeting delayed.