On the eve of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, the U.S. embassy in Koror issued a statement opposing China’s recent travel warning about Palau.
The statement said the United States is against any attempts by China to weaponize tourism to coerce Palau. China's warning cited thefts and robberies in Palau, a dangerous marine environment and frequent accidents involving tourists.
The U.S. embassy noted the American government considers Palau a safe destination.
The Pacific Islands Forum is including Taiwan in the sessions that will be held this week, a move that drew criticism from Beijing.
As leader of the host country, President Surangel Whipps Jr. serves as chair of the meeting. The leaders are expected to discuss security and pathways to economic sustainability.
The talks began Sunday and will continue through Friday.
The theme of the meeting is B.E.L.A.U., which stands for Building Economies: Life, Action, Unity.
The forum is made up of 18 nations, ranging in size from Australia, with 28 million people, to Nuie, which has just 1,600 people.
