Palau says dedicated to supporting Taiwan regardless of ‘mounting aggressions’ By Reuters

TAIPEI (Reuters) – The president of Palau mentioned on Thursday that his small Pacific island nation is dedicated to supporting Taiwan regardless of “mounting aggressions”, providing his robust backing at a time Beijing is ramping up stress in opposition to Taipei within the area.

The Pacific is the location of a diplomatic tug-of-war between Beijing and Washington, and in 2019 China snatched away two of Taiwan’s then-allies there, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.

Palau, which has a inhabitants of fewer than 20,000 folks and is an in depth U.S. ally, is considered one of solely 14 international locations to keep up formal diplomatic ties with Chinese language-claimed Taiwan.

Talking at a welcome ceremony on a go to to Taipei, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. praised relations which he mentioned have been primarily based on a shared dedication to freedom and democracy.

“The folks of Palau deeply worth the friendship between our two nations and are dedicated to supporting Taiwan regardless of the mounting aggressions in our area,” Whipps mentioned, standing subsequent to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Whipps condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “particular army operation” to disarm the nation.

“In face of makes an attempt by nations to alter the worldwide established order by power, we should proceed to work collectively and encourage worldwide cooperation in an effort to ease army tensions,” he added.

Taiwan has confronted elevated army stress from China, particularly since Beijing staged battle video games close to the island in August after a go to to Taipei by U.S. Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Tsai informed Whipps that he was a superb pal.

“Taiwan drastically appreciates Palau’s friendship,” she mentioned.

Whipps will attend Taiwan’s nationwide day celebrations on Monday.

Within the Pacific, Nauru, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands have, like Palau, caught with Taipei.

China says Taiwan is considered one of its provinces with no proper to state-to-state ties, which the democratically-elected authorities in Taipei strongly refutes.

The US has accused China of attractive growing Pacific nations with beneficiant loans, costs Beijing denies.

Taiwan supplies growth help to Palau, together with healthcare.