Palau president in Taiwan for first time since start of second term

Taipei, May 19 (CNA) Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. arrived in Taiwan on Monday night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year.

After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 p.m., Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).

Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January.

Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure and Industries Minister Charles Obichang, and Human Resources, Culture, and Development Minister Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl.

"We have the representation of the whole of government here to demonstrate the closeness of our relationship," he said.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Whipps and his 12-member delegation are visiting Taiwan until Saturday.

On Tuesday, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) will welcome the Pacific ally leader with full military honors, and they will also witness the signing of a technological cooperation agreement and an agreement on the training of diplomatic personnel, MOFA said in a press release.

Whipps, who has been supportive of Taiwan since he first took office in 2021, secured reelection in November 2024 and officially began his second four-year term in January.

Lin attended the Palau president's inauguration in January as a special envoy to President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).