Pacific nation Solomon Islands said it would not allow non-member countries to attend a major regional summit in September, a group that included China, Taiwan and the United States.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said earlier this week that he would postpone a meeting of the Pacific Island Forum’s non-member “dialogue partners”.

Manele’s decision avoided a growing diplomatic dispute over the presence of Taiwanese diplomats at this year’s forum in the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara.

There were concerns that China, which counted Solomon Islands among its closest partners in the Pacific, would use its influence to have Taiwan excluded.

Solomon Islands had recognised Taiwan until 2019, when it shifted its diplomatic recognition to China.

Taiwan and other dialogue partners had in the past been allowed to meet Pacific nations on the sidelines of the forum, known as PIF.

“We know this issue is all about China and Taiwan,” opposition politician Peter Kenilorea Jr told parliament earlier this week.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said it should be welcomed to this year’s meeting of regional leaders.

“Taiwan has adhered to the ‘Pacific Way’ spirit of diversity and inclusiveness shared by all PIF member countries in our participation in Pacific affairs,” it said in a statement.

“Taiwan believes that its participation can sustainably expand cooperation with the PIF, allies in the Pacific, and like-minded countries, and jointly make positive contributions to peace, stability, regional development, and prosperity in the Pacific region.”

The regional summit was expected to be an important subject of talks when the region’s top diplomats met in Fiji’s capital, Suva, next week.

The forum was scheduled to take place in Honiara from September 8 to 12.