“Since 1971 there's only been one Micronesian representative as secretary general,” he says. The Forum has “managed to reach consensus on this position all but one time ... but this vote it was so close nine to eight in favour of the Cook Islands' Henry Puna.” Losing out to Puna was Micronesian candidate Gerald Zackios from the Marshall Islands, which has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. That’s a position that Palau president Surangel Whipps Jr has referred to in a recent article in The Guardian, suggesting some members are bowing down to the shadowy influence on China in the Pacific by voting against Zackios.