Vice President Chen Chien-jen is set to depart Dec. 28 on an official visit to Palau to celebrate 20 years of Taiwan-Palau diplomatic relations, marking a milestone in relations between the two allies.
During a news conference Dec. 19 at the Presidential Office, Deputy Foreign Minister Hsu Szu-chien said the three-day trip is an opportunity for the government to continue deepening bilateral relations with the Pacific country.
According to Hsu, Palau has been a long-term supporter of Taiwan’s participation in the activities, mechanisms, and meetings of international organizations. This is due to its experience collaborating with the country in areas including agriculture, aviation and medicine, he said.
This rock-solid friendship is further evidenced by several high-level visits in the recent past, Hsu said, including by Icyang Parod, minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, to the 25th anniversary of Palau’s independence in September; Palau Vice President Raynold Oilouch to Taiwan in July; and President Tsai Ing-wen’s Oceans of Democracy state visit in March.
Chen’s itinerary is scheduled to include meetings with Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr., Vice President Oilouch and Minister of State Faustina Rehuher-Marugg. He will also visit Taiwan technical missions, diplomatic personnel and expatriates, as well as attend a fishing competition.
Another highlight will be a performance by indigenous group Nibun Chorus based in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City. Winners in the World Choir Games in South Africa last year, the collective are ideal ambassadors for promoting the two countries’ shared love of music and Austronesian culture, Hsu said. (YCH-E)
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