Taiwan Foreign Minister visits Palau for Pacific Islands Forum events

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is conducting a week-long visit to Palau, from August 27 to September 3, to participate in events related to the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). During the visit, Lin will attend the Taiwan/Republic of China-Pacific Forum Countries Dialogue and the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit, which showcases regional cooperation in areas such as digital resilience, renewable energy, infrastructure, and climate change adaptation.

In addition to attending forum-related events, Lin is scheduled to meet with Palauan President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and Vice President Raynold B. Oilouch. The delegation also includes representatives from various Taiwanese industrial sectors, including construction, agriculture, and technology, aiming to foster technical exchanges and industrial cooperation. The visit also includes a review of bilateral initiatives, such as progress at the Belau National Hospital.

China has criticized the visit, stating that Taiwan has “no qualifications” to participate in the forum and characterizing the mission as an attempt by “Taiwan independence separatists” to gain attention. Taiwan maintains only three formal diplomatic ties in the Pacific region, including Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands.