Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Filipo Tarakinikini and his wife Amele Tabuya-Tarakinikini were part of a UN Ambassadors/spouses trip to Taiwan (2-8 November 2025) at the invitation of the Taiwan Economic Cultural Office (TECO) New York. Photo: Facebook / Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations, New York
The Taipei Trade Office in Suva is accusing China of "coercion" after a senior Fijian diplomat visited Taipei last week.
China lashed out at Fiji last Thursday after the Fijian Ambassador to the United Nations, Filipo Tarakinikini, met Taiwan's vice president - a move Beijing said violated the One China Policy.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed "strong dissatisfaction" and said that Beijing had made "solemn representations" to the Fijian government over the incident.
During a press briefing in Beijing, Mao emphasized China's staunch opposition to any official interactions between countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China and Taiwan.
"The visit to Taiwan seriously violates Fiji's political commitment to the one-China principle. The despicable actions of the Taiwan regime will get nowhere," she said.
Photo: 123RF
Fiji's coalition government moved to appease Beijing on Friday, saying that it "reaffirms its commitment to the One China Policy" and "values its diplomatic relations with China, which are grounded in mutual respect and cooperation and its adherence to the principles of sovereignty and non-interference."
Taipei Trade Office representative in Suva Joseph Chow told RNZ Pacific that it "regrets attempts by Beijing to pressure other countries over legitimate exchanges".
"Taiwan is a sovereign and democratic nation whose government and people independently decide their international engagements," Chow said.
Taiwan had never been governed by China, and its status was based on historical and democratic legitimacy, he said.
"Constructive engagement and mutual respect - not coercion - is the key to maintaining peace, development and resilience across the Blue Pacific," he said.
Chow said Tarakinikini's trip to Taipei was conducted in his personal and professional capacity but was not an official state-level mission representing the Fijian government.
During the visit, Tarakinikini met vice president Hsiao Bi-khim and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, among others.
Taiwan's presidential office said on Wednesday that Tarakinikini was part of a delegation of other UN ambassadors, including from the Marshall Islands and Paraguay, which are Taiwanese allies.
Chow said the discussions focussed on regional cooperation, sustainable development, climate resilience and humanitarian partnership.
"Although Taiwan and Fiji do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, the two sides have enjoyed decades of close and friendly cooperation, especially in agriculture, education and public health."
"These informal ties have produced tangible benefits for local communities and reflect the spirit of partnership that defines Taiwan's engagement with the Pacific," he said.
The Chinese Embassy in Fiji posted a statement about Taiwan last Thursday which said:
"Taiwan is a part of China. The question of Taiwan's status was conclusively settled in 1945 with China's victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global victory over fascism.
"Taiwan's return to China is both a fruit of World War II and an integral part of the post-war international order - a victory won through the blood and sacrifice of the Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan.
"No false narrative peddled by anti-China forces can overturn that fact," it said.
Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations.
