The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday vowed to continue providing assistance to support the development of Palau, which has been under increasing pressure from China to switch diplomatic recognition.
Beijing has been attempting to coerce Palau into shifting diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China by suppressing the Pacific island nation’s tourism industry, Indian newspaper the Sunday Guardian reported on Sunday.
Beijing built up Palau’s dependence on Chinese tourism and then “pulled the plug, making it clear that, unless Palau switched from Taiwan to China, the tourists wouldn’t come back,” it reported.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Palau did not bow to pressure from Beijing, but has faced challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected its service industry and China is taking measures “perhaps in preparation to gain influence before next year’s elections,” the report said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr told the paper that his country needs more direct flights, an extension of its runway and investment from countries in the region other than China to combat Chinese influence in his country.
“Taiwan empathizes with it [Palau’s plight] and will continue to provide concrete assistance to Palau. At the same time, Taiwan will also cooperate with like-minded countries to support Palau’s national construction and development,” the ministry said in a press release yesterday.
Taiwan will discuss with the US and other partners about possible cooperation to help Palau extend the runway, the ministry said.
Taiwan has been supporting Palau’s tourism and is actively helping the island state to revitalize its tourism industry in the post-pandemic era, it said.
Taiwan and Palau cohosted the first Belau Omal Marathon in Palau earlier this month, which drew about 600 runners from around the world.
During a state visit to Taiwan in October last year, Whipps told President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) that he hoped Palau and Taiwan could continue to bolster cooperation in tourism and other fields, the ministry said.
Vice President William Lai (賴清德) led a delegation to Palau the following month to help market Palau’s tourism and announced that China Airlines Ltd (中華航空) would resume direct flights to the nation twice a week, it said.
However, Whipps told the Sunday Guardian that he hoped the number of flights could be increased.
“Right now, there are two flights a week from Taiwan, they are full. They can’t increase,” he said.
The ministry said that it “severely condemns China for using false promises of foreign aid and interfering in elections to lure Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.”
Whipps has repeatedly and openly supported Taiwan in the international arena, including supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and affirming the friendship between the two countries in interviews with Nikkei Asia and Australian Broadcasting Corp, the ministry said.
Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries to maintain regional peace, stability and prosperity, it said.
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