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Reuters (31 August 2026)

Lucy Craymer

At least five heads of government were absent from talks at the annual Pacific Island Forum that ‌began on Monday, as China-Taiwan tensions weighed heavily over the meeting that was intended to demonstrate regional unity.

The prime ministers of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and the Solomon Islands and the president of Kiribati will not attend the summit in Palau, an archipelago of over 500 islands that has maintained diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The absent leaders are expected to ​be represented by ministers or senior officials.

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