US Officials Publicly Support Taiwan in Pacific Islands Forum, Foreign Minister Praises

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Mark Lambert recently stated clearly at a high-profile public press conference that the US government strongly supports Taiwan's continued participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), while expressing high concern and vigilance regarding China's increasingly frequent malicious activities in the Pacific region. In response to these firm and friendly remarks from senior US officials, Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung immediately expressed high appreciation, emphasizing that Taiwan will continue to work closely with like-minded international partners in the future to jointly respond to the substantive development needs of Pacific island countries, thereby demonstrating a shared determination to comprehensively enhance regional security and social resilience.

The Pacific Islands Forum is the most representative and important intergovernmental political and economic integration organization in the South Pacific region, with members including Australia, New Zealand, and numerous island nations. For a long time, leveraging its profound strengths in fields such as healthcare, agricultural technology, education and training, and infrastructure, Taiwan has made substantive and constructive contributions to the sustainable development of the South Pacific region through its status as a forum dialogue partner. However, with intensifying geopolitical competition, Beijing has continuously increased its diplomatic pressure and economic inducements toward Pacific island countries in recent years, attempting to gradually squeeze Taiwan's international survival space and diplomatic visibility in the region.

It is against the background of such a severe regional security situation that the public support from US Deputy Assistant Secretary Lambert appears particularly significant. The US side not only spoke out candidly in public about its support for Taiwan's participation in international regional organizations, but also directly named and expressed concern over various malicious expansionist and destabilizing actions by China in the South Pacific region. This demonstrates Washington's emphasis on the overall strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific region and reflects a closer and more coordinated strategic pace between the US and Taiwan in defending the principles of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung pointed out in response to the US remarks that, as a responsible democratic member in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan has always been committed to maintaining regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Facing multiple challenges such as climate change, maritime economic security, and the expansion of authoritarianism, Taiwan has both the capability and the willingness to play a key role. Lin specifically emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to deepen partnerships with the US and other like-minded countries in the Pacific region based on existing sound foundations for cooperation. This involves not only implementing mutually beneficial cooperation programs, but also jointly assisting Pacific island countries in enhancing their comprehensive resilience against various external interferences and natural disasters.

From the perspective of the overall international political landscape, the mutual echoes between the US and Taiwan on the issue of the Pacific Islands Forum highlight Taiwan's indispensable strategic position in the Indo-Pacific security network. When Beijing attempts to change the regional status quo through gray-zone tactics and economic leverage, substantive cooperation and public solidarity among like-minded democracies serve as the best defense line to curb authoritarian expansion. Whether Taiwan can break through encirclement and continue to make its voice heard in international organizations in the future will not only test the adaptability and wisdom of the diplomatic team, but also require the continuous support of the international community. Minister Lin's positive statement this time is not only an immediate response to the friendly US gesture, but also clearly conveys to the international community Taiwan's firm determination to uphold democratic values and actively participate in international affairs.

(Source: Central News Agency)