Taiwan's foreign minister accused China of bullying Pacific nations after Beijing warned of "consequences" for Palau hosting Taiwan at the region's top leaders' summit — a win for Taiwan's diplomacy, but a costly one for Palau.

• Taiwan joined the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau, where it has held development-partner status since 1993.
• China's Pacific envoy warned there would "always be consequences" for letting Taiwan take part, without saying what they would be.
• Palau says Beijing has already hit back, issuing a travel warning telling Chinese citizens to avoid the islands over crime and boat accidents.
• That threatens Palau directly, since tourism is the backbone of its economy.
• Last year's host, the Solomon Islands, invited no outside partners at all — read as a way to avoid singling Taiwan out.

Outlook: Taiwan plans to push more tourists toward Palau to blunt the pressure, while China keeps working to strip Taiwan of its seat at the forum.