- China warned of "consequences" after envoys from Beijing and Taipei both attended a ceremonial event at the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau, calling Taiwan's presence "very inappropriate."
- Host Palau deliberately seated the Beijing and Taipei envoys together and its president urged major powers to "sail with us but not choose our destination," insisting Pacific nations should set their own agenda.
- The growing China–U.S. contest for influence in the region — and speculation some leaders skipped the summit under pressure — risks overshadowing priorities like climate change, COVID recovery and fragile island economies.
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