Taiwan Slams China 'Intervention' After Pacific Bloc Alters Statement

The Pacific Islands Forum reissued a joint declaration without explanation, conspicuously deleting a paragraph concerning the bloc's 'relations with Taiwan' (Credit: AFP)

The Taiwanese foreign ministry on Saturday accused China of an "arbitrary intervention" after a joint declaration by Pacific leaders was altered to remove mentions of Taiwan.

"Taiwan issued the strongest condemnation on China's arbitrary intervention and unreasonable actions that undermine regional peace and stability," the foreign ministry told AFP in a statement.