The visit by Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and his delegation to Taiwan was a great success that will bring the bilateral relationship to new heights and pave the way for more mutually beneficial cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Oct. 12.
Arriving Oct. 5 for his second state visit following one in March 2021, Whipps received a military honor guard welcome the next day before meeting President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office, the MOFA said.
The two heads of state discussed ways to expand collaboration across the board. They also witnessed the signing of several agreements and letters of intent for cooperation in public finance; seagoing service, education and training of seafarers; tourism revitalization; and aquaculture development.
According to the MOFA, in addition to attending the ROC (Taiwan) National Day celebrations Oct. 10, Whipps delivered opening remarks at the Yushan Forum and took part in the Taiwan-Palau Economy Roundtable Forum, both jointly organized by the ministry.
Whipps reiterated Palau’s commitment to deepening two-way ties in his speech at the Yushan Forum and expressed gratitude to the government and people of Taiwan for providing medical supplies to combat COVID-19 and helping promote sustainable development in his country.
During his eight-day stay, Whipps also met with Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai, Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang and Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Icyang Parod.
The president also visited an indigenous museum in Taipei City and a tribal village in the northern city of Taoyuan to experience in person the Austronesian heritage that binds the two allies together, the MOFA said. (SFC-E)
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