Tuvalu’s foreign minister has pulled out of the United Nations’ Ocean Conference on June 27 after China blocked three Taiwanese delegates from attending.
Tuvalu’s Simon Kofe diverted his flight to Brisbane, Australia and headed early to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum in mid-July. The Pacific Islands Forum involves all Pacific nations, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Three members of Tuvalu’s delegation were Taiwanese nationals. China, who is on the credentials committee of the United Nations, demanded they be removed or else the delegation would be barred from joining.
Kofe decided to remove himself and the trio but still encouraged Tuvalu to be present at the Conference, which is focused on the sustainable use of marine resources—a key concern for Pacific Island nations….