Tuvalu minister pulls out of UN Ocean Conference after China blocks its Taiwanese delegates

Foreign Minister Simon Kofe reportedly withdrew from the event after China objected to the presence of Taiwanese delegates

The Pacific island nation is one of just 14 to maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei rather than Beijing

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Tuvalu is one of the nations most at risk from global warming. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 7:07pm, 27 Jun 2022Updated: 8:20pm, 27 Jun 2022

The foreign minister of Tuvalu pulled out of the United Nations Ocean Conference opening in Portugal on Monday after China blocked the participation of three Taiwanese included in the tiny Pacific island nation’s delegation list, according to Radio New Zealand.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, is not a member of the United Nations and its citizens are unable to attend UN events as representatives of Taiwan.

Tuvalu Foreign Minister Simon Kofe withdrew from the conference after China challenged the accreditation of three Taiwanese delegates included in Tuvalu’s delegation, Radio New Zealand reported on Monday.

The small Pacific island nation of 12,000 people has maintained diplomatic ties with Taiwan since 1979, and is one of just 14 states around the world that continue to have diplomatic relations with Taipei rather than Beijing.

Taiwan is largely excluded from international organisations that have China as a member.

Asked for comment, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian reiterated Beijing’s stance that Taiwan is part of China.