The leaders of five Micronesian states have called on the Pacific Islands Forum to recognise Taiwan and China as equals at its meetings.
It comes after China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, reportedly sought exclusive recognition from the Pacific Islands Forum.
National flags in Nauru for the Pacific Islands Forum. Photo: New Zealand Herald/Jason Oxenham
The presence of Chinese diplomats at last year's Pacific Islands Forum summit sparked controversy, with hosts Nauru accusing them of speaking out of turn.
Now, the Presidents of Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru and Kiribati have questioned the forum's treatment of Taiwan.
In a joint communique signed after the Micronesian Presidents' Summit in Palau last week, the five leaders "strongly encouraged" the forum to establish a more respectful and fair policy towards Taiwan's participation.
The communique follows an ABC report that China lobbied the forum to recognise the Chinese Communist Party as the rightful government of Taiwan.
Pacific Islands Forum leaders gather for a group photo ahead of their retreat. Photo: Nauru Government
In the communique, the five presidents also recommended that starting in Tuvalu this year, meetings with forum dialogue partners be held in the same venue.
In previous Pacific Islands Forum summits, Taiwan and China have held 'exclusive' meetings with their respective diplomatic allies outside the formal venue.
The Pacific is home to six of Taiwan's dwindling diplomatic allies, including all five countries at the Micronesia summit.
The presidents also agreed that one of the five members of the Micronesian Presidents' Summit would host a UN multi-country office.