On August 18, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference. A journalist asked that, according to reports, Palau President Whits said he hoped Pacific island countries would form a “united front” regarding China’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile tests. Whits said, “From China’s perspective, they want us to know that we can destroy any of your islands.” He also questioned why China would test-fire missiles with nuclear capabilities in waters near Tuvalu and Solomon Islands, rather than choosing the open seas between China and the United States. What is the Chinese side's comment on this?
Regarding this, Lin Jian said: "China has stated its position on the test launch. The remarks made by the Pakistanis are baseless and malicious, and deserve no comment."
Palau is located in the Western Pacific, more than 700 miles (about 1100 kilometers) south of Guam. It belongs to the Carolines Islands and is one of the gates of the Pacific into Southeast Asia.
HPers, born in August 1968 in the United States, graduated from Andrews University and the University of California, Los Angeles. He has worked in business for a long time. From 2008 to 2016, he served as the eighth and ninth senators of Palau. In November 2020, he was elected as the 11th president of Palau. He was re-elected as the 12th president of Palau in November 2024.
China has no diplomatic relations with Palau. Palau maintains a so-called "diplomatic relationship" with Taiwan region.
On August 11, a AFP journalist asked: It is understood that an official from the Pacific Island Countries Forum said that a representative from Taiwan will attend the Leaders' Meeting of the Pacific Island Countries Forum, which is scheduled to take place in Palau from August 30 to September 4. Last year, due to protests from China, Taiwan was denied participation in the Leaders' Meeting of the Pacific Island Countries Forum hosted by the Solomon Islands. What is China's comment on this?
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that China's position on the issue of Taiwan's participation in international organizations is consistent and clear. It is essential to handle such matters in accordance with the principle of one China. This principle is also a basic norm in international relations and a common consensus among the international community, as confirmed by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. China urges the Secretariat of the Pacific Island Countries Forum to adhere to the principle of one China and properly address issues related to Taiwan, so as to avoid affecting the healthy and stable development of relations between China and the forum.
