China’s representative at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru has stormed out of talks with forum nations after a dispute with host nation leader President Baron Waqa.
The Chinese “dialogue partner” left the closed doors meeting after what was described as a “terse exchange of words” with Waqa.
Nauru which recognises Taiwan, had already angered the Chinese observer delegation by refusing to allow them into the country on official passports.
The Australian reports Nauru does not have diplomatic relations with China, instead recognising self-ruled Taiwan which has paid for much of the infrastructure being used to host the Pacific Islands Forum summit.
The diplomatic incident came as Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne urged China to heed the benchmarks set by Australia in the way in which it delivered aid to the Pacific.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi had threatened to pull out of the meeting over Nauru’s refusal to allow Chinese delegates into Nauru on their diplomatic passports, while Fiji also piled the pressure on Nauru.
Samoa and Fiji are both recipients of Chinese aid.
[Source: The Australian]
