Palau–Taiwan relations

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Palau–Taiwan relations
Map indicating locations of Palau and Taiwan

Palau
Taiwan
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Palau in the Republic of ChinaEmbassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Palau
Envoy
AmbassadorAmbassador

Palau–Taiwan relations are the bilateral relations between Palau and Taiwan. Palau maintains an embassy in Taipei[1] and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China or ROC) maintains an embassy in Koror City.[2] Exchanges between the two nations range from agriculture, culture, education, fishery, medical services, tourism and water supply infrastructure.[3][4] As of 12 April 2024, Palau is one of only 12 United Nations member states to have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.[5]

History

President of the Republic of China Tsai Ing-wen visiting Palau in 2019
President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr. visiting Taiwan in 2021

Palau and Taiwan have had economic and political relations since 1994.[6] In late December 1999, Palau officially established diplomatic relations with the ROC.[7] Taiwan have funded Palauan buildings such as the Palasia Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, Hung Kuo Resort and Papago International Resort.[8] In 2010, a petroleum company of the People's Republic of China signed a US$40 million cooperation with Palau to explore oil reserve around the islands country.[9]

On June 6, 2017, Palau Health Minister Emais Roberts visited Taipei.[10] In December 2017, Palau's ambassador to Taiwan stated that Palau–Taiwan relations were "extremely stable", and that Palau would not shift diplomatic relations to mainland China.[11] President Tsai Ing-wen visited Palau in 2019[12] and President Surangel Whipps Jr. visited Taiwan in 2021.[13]

In April 2021, a travel bubble was set up between Palau and Taiwan.[14] Though travel restrictions were introduced in May 2021 due to increased COVID-19 cases in Taiwan.[15] In December 2021, the Taiwanese government donated a statue of former Palauan president Kuniwo Nakamura for his role in establishing relations between the two countries in December 1999 with the Embassy of the Republic of China in the Republic of Palau stating that his legacy will "always be remembered and honored by both Taiwan and Palau people".[16]

Academic relations

In 2017, Palau National Scholarship Board and Kainan University signed a memorandum of understanding to establish bilateral relations in research and cultural exchange between the two countries. Through the agreement, Kainan University would waive tuition and fees of two students recommended by PNSB and accepted to attend Kainan.[17]

Taiwan's Ministry of Education facilitated a service project to establish cooperation between the National Taiwan University's Center of Teacher Education and Palau High School. The program took place in January and February 2023, after two years of planning and five months of training.[18] In September 2023, Taiwan's National Sun Yat-sen University signed an MOU with several Palauan institutions to establish collaboration of blue carbon economy and climate change studies.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Embassy of Palau in Taipei, Taiwan". embassypages.com. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  2. ^ "Embassy Activities". ROC.org. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Taiwan top choice for medical transfers in Palau". The China Post. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  4. ^ "Palau appeals to Taiwan for aid, water". Taipei Times. 5 April 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "Honduras snaps ties with Taiwan in favour of China: Which countries recognise Taiwan currently?". The Indian Express. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023. Only 13 countries recognise Taiwan now: Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, Eswatini, Vatican City, Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
  6. ^ Harwit, Eric (1 July 2000). "Taiwan's Foreign Economic Relations with Developing Nations: A Case Study of Its Ties with Palau" (PDF). The Contemporary Pacific. 12 (2): 465–479. doi:10.1353/cp.2000.0054. hdl:10125/13547. S2CID 162222217.
  7. ^ China in Oceania: Reshaping the Pacific? (Page 179). Berghahn Books. March 2010. ISBN 9781845456320. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Taiwan and Palau: How to maintain this diplomatic alliance?" (PDF). Netjournals. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Yang: China not factor in Taiwan-Palau relation". The China Post. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  10. ^ Chang, Ming-hsuan; Kao, Evelyn (June 6, 2017). "Palau health minister vows to continue support for Taiwan's WHA bid". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "Palau says ties 'extremely stable' and will not change - Taipei Times". taipeitimes.com. December 18, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "News & activities". Taiwan Government. March 23, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Palau president visits Taiwan despite Chinese pressure". AP News. March 30, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Paradise cost: high prices and strict rules deflate Palau-Taiwan travel bubble". The Guardian. April 15, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  15. ^ Times, Island (May 18, 2021). "Dr. Roberts urges gov't to prioritize people's health over economy". Island Times. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Team, Internet. "Family Unveils Statue of Palau Late President Kuniwo Nakamura". Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Republic of Palau 駐帛琉共和國大使館. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023.
  17. ^ "Press Release: Palau's Scholarship Board and Kainan University Forges Relations in Academics, Research, and Cultural Exchange". Palau Office of the President (Press release). 17 April 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  18. ^ "National Taiwan University student teaching at Palau High School". Island Times. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  19. ^ "National Sun Yat-sen University signed MOUs with Palau institutions for collaboration of blue carbon economy and climate change studies". National Sun Yat-sen University (Press release). 26 September 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
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