Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrives at a naval base in Taoyuan on 18 October 2024. Photo: I-Hwa CHENG / AFP
Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te will visit three Pacific allies at the end of this month.
Presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo confirmed Lai will visit the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu from 30 November to 6 December.
These are the only Pacific Island nations among Taiwan's 12 remaining allies.
China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since 1949, but Beijing claims the island as part of its territory and has been pressuring countries to drop diplomatic ties with Taipei.
Taiwan's previous Pacific allies Solomon Islands, Kiribati and more recently Nauru have all switched their diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing.
"This is going to be a significant visit as China has been cultivating relations in the Pacific," Taiwanese journalist Yohan Issak told ABC Pacific Beat program.
"In five years, three former allies of Taiwan in the Pacific have cut ties and deepened their relations with China, raising concerns for other nations in the region, including Australia, New Zealand and the United States."
Yohan said the official goal of the trip will be to share Taiwan's experience with its allies in building economic resilience, promoting shared democratic values, and improving overall relationship with the respective nations.
"So it seems that a big objective of this trip is to declare a sense of shared camaraderie with its allies.
Palau's President Surangel Whipps said he is looking forward to welcoming Lai for his first visit to the island.
"It was an honour to attend his inauguration in Taiwan, a testament to the strong ties between our nations," President Whipps said.
Palau hosted President Lai when he was serving the people of Taiwan as vice president.
"During his last visit, we engaged in productive discussions on shared priorities, and I look forward to building on those conversations to further strengthen our partnership in areas such as education, tourism, health, and the environment," President Whipps said.
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine also welcomed the announcement.
"As a long-term partner and good friend of the Marshall Islands, we look forward to the warmly receiving President Lai," her office said in a statement.
