ROC centennial

ROC-Palau ties: A two-way street

• Publication Date：06/03/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the ROC and Palau establishing diplomatic ties. For both sides, the relationship has been extremely beneficial with significant levels of economic and political cooperation chalked up across a variety of areas.

The strength of these relations was highlighted last month during a visit to the Presidential Office by a delegation of lawmakers from Palau. ROC President Ma Ying-jeou warmly welcomed the group, led by House of Delegates Speaker Noah Idechong, praising the South Pacific country and sharing his plans for deepening bilateral ties.

The close friendship enjoyed by the ROC and Palau is nothing new. As a responsible member of the international community, the ROC has long recognized the importance of assisting this island nation attain economic self-sufficiency. The first step in this process, which took place under a cooperation agreement inked by Taipei and Ngerulmud in 1984, brought ROC technical teams to the archipelago where they rolled up their sleeves and set about helping develop the agricultural sector.

But ROC-Palau ties are in no way, shape or form a one-way street. Palau is one of Taiwan’s greatest supporters, doing all it can to help secure an expanded role for the country in bodies such as the World Health Organization, U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and International Civil Aviation Organization. In addition, the island’s considerable experience in ecological conservation and tourism promotion is freely shared with the ROC government.

Devising ways to do more for Palau is of great importance to the ROC. Following a state visit to the country last March, President Ma instructed government officials to draw up improved assistance measures so as to enhance mutual interaction and friendship. He also called for greater cultural and youth exchanges between the two nations.

As part of this initiative, a joint project to assist Palauans preserve their ceramics traditions was launched April 25. The program centerpiece, a workshop fitted out with Taiwan-made electrical kilns and other pottery equipment, will serve as a platform for the two countries to explore their shared Austronesian heritage. The artistic and cultural contribution of Paiwan aboriginal Sasunud Mavaliu from Pingtung County is set to play an important part in the success of this initiative. During a six-month stint as pottery instructor at the facility, Mavaliu plans on helping locals learn more about his tribe while experiencing the ways of Palau's indigenous peoples.

Greater prosperity for all can only be achieved through forging bilateral ties built on the principle of reciprocity. The healthy state of relations between the ROC and Palau ably illustrates this fact, demonstrating beyond doubt the value of such fruitful international partnerships.

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