The Vice President of the United States gave a virtual speech at the forum as Fijian police removed the two officials. The pair attended a meeting of the forum’s fisheries agency, where Ms. Harris explained the escalation of US involvement in the region in response to China’s increasing influence.
The Chinese officials had identified themselves as part of the press by being in the media section, but one was identified by a journalist as a Chinese embassy official.
Lice Movono, a Fiji journalist who covers the Forum on behalf of the Guardian, saw the embassy official in the press contingent.
She said she “recognized him because I’ve been in contact with him at least three times.”
She added that this included a visit to Suva in June by China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, where journalists were kicked out of the events and prevented from asking questions.
Ms Movono said: “He was one of the people who removed us from places and ordered other people to remove us.
“So I went to him and asked, ‘Are you here as a Chinese embassy official or for Xinhua? [a Chinese news agency]because this is the media room.
“And he shook his head as if to indicate that he did not speak English.”
Following the official’s reluctance to speak, Ms Movono informed the Fijian protocol officers who sent her to inform the police, who then removed the men.
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This partner dialogue has been suspended this year due to increased tensions between the two nations.
Despite this, Kamala Harris was still invited to attend virtually and address the forum in what is seen as a kick in the teeth for China.
The vice president said: “We recognize that the Pacific islands may not have received the diplomatic attention and support you deserve in recent years.
“So today I’m here to tell you directly: we’re going to change that.”
As the US increased its interactions with the Pacific in the wake of increasing Chinese interest, Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said, “It is clear that the US is certainly much more like the Pacific partner we traditionally envisioned.”