The annual Pacific Islands Forum begins on Monday in Palau, bringing together the 18-member intergovernmental organisation to discuss regional cooperation and security. On Sunday, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung joined Palau President Surangel Whipps at a ceremony to hand over a fleet of electric buses donated by Taipei. China has criticised Taiwan’s participation in the event. Charles Parton, Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), shares further insights.