Beijing's response to Taiwan's participation in the Pacific Islands Forum escalates regional tensions amid intensifying great power competition. While China threatened unspecified repercussions, Australia and New Zealand firmly rejected Beijing's attempts to dictate forum membership and policy. Taiwan positioned itself as a constructive development partner committed to regional stability. The incident underscores how major powers leverage infrastructure initiatives and strategic partnerships to expand influence across the Pacific, reshaping geopolitical dynamics in one of the world's most contested regions.

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