Palau president affirms Taiwan sovereignty during Hsiao's visit

Koror, Palau, June 8 (CNA) Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. expressed strong support for Taiwan during Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's (蕭美琴) visit to the Pacific ally, saying Sunday that failure to recognize Taiwan's sovereignty would call into question the sovereignty of small countries.

"If Taiwan's sovereignty is not recognized, then who are we to say that we're sovereign? Might as well eliminate all small countries," Whipps said at a welcome dinner for Hsiao in Koror, Palau's largest city.

"We have to stand up for freedom. We have to stand up for democracy and we have to stand up for the rule of law," said Whipps, whose country is one of Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies worldwide and one of three in the Pacific.

The Palauan president also noted that Taiwan is "a prosperous and growing nation" that has demonstrated leadership in healthcare, technology, aviation and other fields, and should be included in international discussions.

"Taiwan needs to be a part of these discussions. They need to be a part of the U.N., they need to be a part of WHO, they need to be a part of ICAO," he said, referring to the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Whipps said he was asked about "the Taiwan question" during a visit to Japan last week, and had told Japanese media that Palau's relationship with Taiwan is "strong and getting stronger."

That relationship, he said, is based on shared interests, support for a rule-based world order and "a free and open Indo-Pacific."

In turn, Hsiao said President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) had given her three assignments for the Palau visit -- to deepen friendship between the two peoples, encourage more Taiwanese tourists to visit Palau, and visit projects that demonstrate bilateral cooperation.

"The Pacific Ocean doesn't separate us. Instead, it connects us," Hsiao said, adding that it connects the two countries' cultures, peoples, and ideas.

Palau is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally accessible by a short direct commercial flight, Hsiao noted, adding that Palau's natural beauty and focus on sustainable tourism would continue to attract Taiwanese visitors.

Currently, there are four direct commercial flights per week between the two countries, and the goal is for daily flights, according to Whipps.

Sunday marked the second day of Hsiao's five-day visit to Palau, her first trip to a diplomatic ally since taking office in May 2024.