Vice President Lai Ching-te said Nov. 1 that Taiwan is committed to expanding cooperation with Palau across a broad spectrum of areas while doing its part to maintain Indo-Pacific peace, stability and security.
Lai made the remarks while delivering an address at a banquet hosted by Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. during the vice president’s official visit Nov. 1-3 to the Pacific ally. The delegation led by Lai comprises experts in fields like investment, medical care, sports and tourism.
According to Lai, the visit marks Taiwan’s first official diplomatic trip since the country reopened its borders October 13. It follows Whipps’ state visit to Taiwan last month, he added.
As the two are both island countries, Taiwan and Palau will continue working together to combat climate change, Lai said. Commercial flights between the allies will also be increased to twice a week starting Nov. 16 to bring more Taiwan tourists to Palau, he added.
The banquet was preceded by a welcome event hosted by members of Palau National Congress. In a speech given at the event, Lai said that since Taiwan and Palau established the diplomatic ties in 1999, the two sides have formed an enduring friendship and people-to-people exchanges have gone from strength to strength.
Resolutions greenlighted by Palau’s House of Delegates and Senate voicing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization and its decision-making body, the World Health Assembly; the International Civil Aviation Organization; and Interpol are deeply appreciated, Lai said.
The vice president additionally pledged to achieve three objectives entrusted to him by President Tsai Ing-wen, namely deepening partnership, enhancing bilateral cooperation and promoting tourism with Palau.
Other activities on Lai’s itinerary the same day included attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a new road construction project undertaken with aid from Taiwan and visiting a farm funded by the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF).
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Happy to see VP @ChingteLai embraced by #Palau sun at the start of his 3-day visit to our beautiful #IndoPacific ally. We wish our VP & the delegation from #Taiwan every success in our various collaborative projects, including tourism.” (YCH-E)

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