Taiwan was denied membership in the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) following a speech by Chinese Ambassador Li Zhengjun urging SPTO members not to entertain Taiwan's application for membership.
The members also decided to adhere to their respective governments' "one-China policy," and reaffirm China's SPTO membership.
According to a published report, the council of tourism ministers, who attended the Fifth Biennial South Pacific Tourism Organization Conference, stated its members reached a decision that Taiwan should remain "outside of SPTO" membership, "unless opportunities prevail in the future."
SPTO, formerly the Tourism Council of the South Pacific (TCSP), is dedicated to assisting any organisation, large or small, regional or international, involved in South Pacific travel and tourism.
