Taiwan–Oceania relations

Taiwan–Oceania relations refer to the diplomatic, economic, cultural, and strategic relations between Taiwan (officially the Republic of China, ROC) and the countries and regional organizations of Oceania. Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with a small number of sovereign states worldwide. As of 2026, Taiwan's diplomatic partners in Oceania are the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Tuvalu.

Taiwan's relations in the Pacific are shaped by regional dynamics, including competition for diplomatic recognition with China (officially the People's Republic of China, PRC), the strategic interests of larger powers such as the United States and Australia, and the priorities of Pacific Island countries (PICs), including climate change, sustainable development, and regional solidarity.^[1]

As of 2026, Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with three Pacific island states: the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Tuvalu. Previously, Nauru was also a diplomatic partner, but in 2024 it severed relations with Taiwan and established formal diplomatic ties with China.^[2] The move came two days after Taiwan had concluded its presidential election, which Nauru had acknowledged with a congratulatory statement.^[3][4] Nauru had earlier switched recognition in 2002 and returned to Taiwan in 2005 before its most recent change.^[5][6]

At the beginning of 2019, both Taiwan and China maintained diplomatic ties with six Pacific states. In September 2019, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing.^[7][8] These changes reduced Taiwan's formal presence in the Pacific and highlighted the volatility of diplomatic alignments in the region.^[9]

Taiwan's formal relations are limited in part by the PRC's One China policy opposing dual recognition and its diplomatic and economic engagement in the Pacific. Despite this, Taiwan's embassies in its remaining Pacific allies provide it with an official presence in a strategically significant region of the Indo-Pacific.

Contacts between Taiwan and Oceania predate modern state relations. Taiwan's Indigenous peoples share linguistic and cultural links with Austronesian-speaking societies across the Pacific.^[10] These connections have been referenced in contemporary diplomacy as a cultural basis for engagement.^[11]

During the period of Taiwan under Japanese rule (1895–1945), Indigenous Taiwanese were recruited for labor and military service in parts of Oceania during the Pacific War.^[12] After World War II and the wave of decolonization in the 1970s and 1980s, several Pacific Island countries established diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Tuvalu recognized Taiwan in 1979.^[13]

Taiwan's need to secure fishing access agreements in Pacific exclusive economic zones (EEZs) contributed to the development of relations with certain island states. However, allegations of illegal fishing by Taiwanese vessels in Pacific waters have periodically generated tensions and criticism.^[14]

Under President Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan adopted a more proactive diplomatic strategy in Oceania. In 2005, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian visited Fiji, where he was greeted by government delegates with "full traditional Fijian ceremony of welcome" – although he did not meet his counterpart President Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, nor Prime Minister Qarase. Ambassador Cai expressed China's "disappointment" at Fiji for having authorised the visit. Later that year, relations were slightly strained once more when Fiji supported Taiwan's wish to join the World Health Organization.^[15] Nonetheless, Qarase's government did not vary from its official recognition of the "One China" policy.

In 2006, the first Taiwan–Pacific Allies Summit was held in Palau, followed by a second summit in the Marshall Islands in 2007. These meetings aimed to institutionalize multilateral dialogue between Taiwan and its Pacific allies and to strengthen cooperation in areas such as development and governance.^[16] This period coincided with intensified diplomatic competition with the People's Republic of China in the Pacific.

In June 2007, Taiwan donated an aid package of €700,000, distributed among eight Pacific regional organisations.^[17]

In March 2008, new President-elect Ma Ying-jeou was reported as saying that his government would put an end to Taiwanese "cheque-book diplomacy" in the Pacific.^[18] In May of that same year, Ma called for what he referred to as a "cease-fire" in the competition between the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China for diplomatic allies. This followed a scandal due to allegations that Taiwan's Foreign Minister James Huang had attempted to buy Papua New Guinea's diplomatic allegiance.^[19]

President Ma Ying-jeou pursued a policy described as "flexible diplomacy", including an informal "diplomatic truce" with Beijing under which both sides refrained from actively seeking to persuade each other's diplomatic partners to switch recognition. During this period, no Pacific country changed recognition.^[20] Ma's administration emphasized economic, educational, and technical cooperation.^[21]

In October, Taiwan cancelled a scheduled summit between itself and its Pacific Island allies. Although the authorities cited "preparation problems", Radio Australia commented that "the decision appears to be an attempt by the new administration of President Ma Ying-jeou to keep the island's diplomatic activities low-profile and avoid offending China".^[22] Taiwanese authorities later stated that the summit had been "postponed" rather than cancelled.^[23] In June 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that President Ma would "attend a [...] leadership summit between Taiwan and its South Pacific allies" in autumn. The summit, hosted by Solomon Islands, would be attended by the "heads of state of Taiwan's six allies in the region" and would focus on "countering the current economic contraction, climate change and how to strengthen the fisheries industry". Upon announcing the summit, the Ministry added that Ma had "developed a fondness for the Pacific region during his previous visit to Solomon Islands when he saw a handful of children at a market selling betel nuts and watermelons while wearing shirts donated by the people of Taiwan".^[24]

In July 2009, Taiwan donated over €40,000 in a scholarship scheme benefiting students from a number of Pacific countries, including those -such as Fiji or Papua New Guinea- which do not grant it diplomatic recognition. It also donated €288,000 for regional development assistance programmes, to be used notably on access to water, sanitation and hygiene, renewable energy, solar photovoltaic assessments, fisheries management, education and youth training.^[25]

Taiwan has asked to be recognised as an official dialogue partner of the Pacific Islands Forum. That status is currently awarded to China.^[26]

In March 2010, President Ma visited Taiwan's six allies in the region. This coincided with a visit to Solomon Islands by the Republic of China Navy.^[27] While in Solomon Islands, Ma outlined a development in technical assistance programmes to Taiwan's allies in the region, encompassing assistance in such areas as "encouraging a return to healthier diets, operating on cataracts [or] advising on land reform".^[28]

In 2013, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the East-West Center co-founded the Pacific Islands Leadership Program to provide training opportunities for Pacific officials.^[29]

After the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, the diplomatic truce with Beijing effectively ended. Since then, several countries worldwide, including Pacific states, have switched recognition to China. The Austronesian Forum, first proposed in 2002 and formally established in 2008, was reactivated under Tsai's administration in 2018 by promoting the concept of "Oceans of Democracy" during state visits to Pacific allies.^[30] Its headquarters opened in Palau in 2019. In 2021, representatives of the United States participated in the forum for the first time.^[31]

In December 2024, President Lai Ching-te visited the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, emphasizing shared democratic values and Austronesian cultural links.^[32] Stopovers in Hawaii and Guam drew criticism from Beijing.^[33][34]

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is the principal regional organization in Oceania. Taiwan is not a full member but participates as a "development partner" under the name "Taiwan/Republic of China". By contrast, China participates as a dialogue partner.^[35]

Taiwan's participation in PIF activities has at times been controversial. At the 53rd PIF summit in 2024, references to Taiwan in the summit communiqué were reportedly removed following objections from Chinese representatives. Taiwan and its allies have organized parallel dialogues, including the Taiwan–Forum Countries Dialogue, to maintain communication channels.^[36]

In October 2019, Taiwan and the United States co-hosted the Pacific Islands Dialogue, aimed at strengthening cooperation with Pacific allies following the diplomatic switches by the Solomon Islands and Kiribati.^[37] In 2020, Taiwan and the United States held a virtual dialogue focused on COVID-19 pandemic assistance and coordination.^[38]

The United States has also increased its engagement in the Pacific, including hosting the first U.S.–Pacific Islands Summit in 2022. These developments have occurred amid broader geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific.^[39]

Taiwan's development assistance in Oceania is primarily implemented through the TaiwanICDF. Programs focus on agriculture, public health, education, and technical training.

In Palau, Taiwan has supported medical cooperation through partnerships with Taiwanese hospitals, including Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital. Programs have included public health initiatives and medical referral systems that allow Pacific patients to receive treatment in Taiwan.^[40]

Taiwan also provides scholarships and degree programs to Pacific students. While these programs have contributed to people-to-people ties, some participants have noted limitations such as a lack of Pacific-focused curricula and limited internship opportunities.

In September 2022, The National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tuvaluan minister of public constructions Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu, witnessed by Tuvaluan prime minister Kausea Natano and Taiwanese foreign minister Joseph Wu. As part of the agreement, the Taiwan and Tuvalu Center on Marine Science and Engineering was established, and NSYSU became the first Taiwanese university to have a maritime research agreement with Tuvalu.^[41]

Taiwan's economic interests in Oceania mainly include fisheries and tourism. Taiwanese fishing companies operate in the Western and Central Pacific, and Taiwan has ranked among the leading fishing entities in the region according to data from the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.^[42]

Tourism has been particularly significant in Taiwan–Palau relations. Fluctuations in tourist flows, including those related to Chinese outbound tourism policies and the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected Palau's economy and highlighted the geopolitical dimensions of tourism.

Although Taiwan's Pacific allies are small states, their diplomatic recognition contributes to Taiwan's international presence and ability to advocate for participation in international organizations. These states have occasionally spoken in support of Taiwan's inclusion in forums such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.^[43]

Observers have debated the extent to which Taiwan's assistance constitutes "dollar diplomacy", a characterization Taiwanese officials reject. Analysts note that Taiwan's interests in Oceania intersect with those of the United States and Australia, particularly regarding concerns about expanding Chinese influence in the Pacific.^[44]

• Foreign relations of Taiwan
• China-Pacific relations