Taiwan pushed back after Beijing warned of "consequences" over its presence at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit, a sign of sharpening competition for influence among Pacific island states.

• Taiwan's foreign minister Lin Chia-lung led a delegation to Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum summit, running through early September.
• China's top diplomat for Pacific affairs warned that Taiwan's high-profile participation would "have consequences."
• Taiwan brushed off the threat, saying it will keep working with Pacific partners to make the region more prosperous and peaceful.
• Lin leaned on host Palau's theme of unity, framing Taiwan's approach as dialogue over confrontation and consensus over coercion.
• Palau is one of a shrinking number of countries that still recognize Taiwan, making the summit a test of Beijing's pressure campaign in the Pacific.

Outlook: Expect China to keep leaning on Pacific island governments to shut Taiwan out of regional forums, with Palau and the few remaining Taiwan allies the main pressure points.