Across the Ocean, One Family

OP-ED

Taiwan and Palau’s Shared Journey Toward Prosperity and Peace

In a world increasingly shaped by uncertainty, genuine friendships have become more valuable than ever. The partnership between Taiwan and Palau stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when two nations work together with mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for the future.

For more than twenty-five years, Taiwan and Palau have built a relationship that extends far beyond diplomacy. Our partnership is reflected in the roads that connect communities, the farms that strengthen food security, the students who pursue new opportunities, the athletes who achieve excellence, and the countless exchanges that bring our peoples closer together.

Most importantly, Taiwan and Palau are connected not only by modern cooperation, but also by a much deeper bond—our shared Austronesian heritage.

A Shared Heritage Across the Pacific

Long before modern borders and diplomatic relations existed, Austronesian seafarers crossed the vast Pacific guided only by the stars, winds, and currents. Their courage connected distant islands and created a family of ocean peoples stretching from Taiwan to Palau and beyond.

Today, linguistic, cultural, and anthropological studies continue to identify Taiwan as the homeland of the Austronesian peoples, whose relatives spread throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans thousands of years ago. While our societies have evolved in different ways, we remain connected by this shared heritage, by our respect for the ocean, and by our belief that cooperation is stronger than division.

For both Taiwan and Palau, the ocean is more than geography—it is part of our identity. It has shaped our cultures, sustained our communities, and connected us to one another for generations.

This shared heritage serves as a powerful reminder that the Pacific Ocean is not a barrier that separates us. Rather, it is a bridge that unites us.

Turning Friendship into Tangible Results

The strength of Taiwan-Palau relations is measured not only by official visits or diplomatic agreements, but by the tangible benefits delivered to the people of Palau.

Earlier this month, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao visited Palau under the Palau Prosperity Project, an important initiative to deepen cooperation with Taiwan’s Pacific allies and promote sustainable development throughout the region.

During her visit, Vice President Hsiao witnessed firsthand the achievements of numerous Taiwan-Palau cooperation projects and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to supporting Palau’s long-term development goals.

One notable example was the inauguration of the Taiwan-supported road improvement project in Ngchesar State. Reliable infrastructure may not always attract attention, but it plays a critical role in daily life—connecting communities, supporting businesses, facilitating tourism, and improving access to essential services.

This project reflects Taiwan’s long-standing approach to development cooperation: focusing on practical initiatives that directly improve people’s lives and strengthen local capacity.

The Palau Prosperity Project also highlighted Taiwan’s support for a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture, education, healthcare, tourism, and community development. Together, these efforts contribute to a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable Palau.

Supporting Economic Opportunity and Sustainable Development

Economic resilience remains one of the central pillars of Taiwan-Palau cooperation. Tourism serves as the backbone of Palau’s economy, and Taiwan has been proud to support its growth and recovery. Through cooperation with the Palau Visitors Authority and China Airlines, Taiwan has implemented tourism incentive programs that encourage Taiwanese travelers to visit Palau, helping generate opportunities for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation providers, and small businesses across the country.

Beyond tourism, Taiwan Technical Mission(TTM) has worked alongside Palauan farmers for decades to strengthen food security and agricultural productivity. Through technical assistance, training programs, and the introduction of modern farming techniques, Taiwan continues to support Palau’s efforts to enhance local food production and reduce dependence on imports.

Taiwan and Palau have also cooperated closely in aquaculture and marine resource development. As island nations whose futures are closely linked to the ocean, we share a commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from the Pacific’s rich natural resources.

These projects demonstrate an important principle: development assistance is most effective when it empowers local communities, builds local capacity, and creates lasting opportunities.

Investing in People and Future Generations

The most valuable investment any nation can make is in its people. For many years, Taiwan has provided scholarship opportunities, professional training, and educational exchanges for young Palauan. Hundreds of students have studied in Taiwan, acquiring knowledge, skills, and experiences that contribute directly to Palau’s future development.

Many of these graduates have returned to serve as leaders in government, healthcare, education, business, and civil society. Their success stories demonstrate the enduring value of educational cooperation.

Healthcare remains another cornerstone of our partnership. Taiwan continues to support medical cooperation, healthcare training, and public health initiatives that strengthen local healthcare capacity and improve services available to communities throughout Palau.

The true measure of these programs is not found in statistics alone, but in the opportunities they create and the lives they improve.

Strengthening Friendship Through Sports and Cultural Exchange

The friendship between Taiwan and Palau is strengthened not only through development projects, but through the connections forged between our peoples.

One inspiring example was Palau’s historic gold medal victory in baseball at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. Prior to the tournament, the Palau National Baseball Team spent more than a month training in Taiwan, benefiting from intensive coaching, world-class facilities, and valuable exchange opportunities.

Their achievement represented not only sporting excellence, but also the success of Taiwan-Palau cooperation and the power of people-to-people exchange.

Building upon this momentum, Taiwan and Palau continue to expand cooperation in sports development, youth exchanges, and talent cultivation, helping nurture the next generation of leaders and athletes.

Cultural exchanges similarly play an important role in strengthening mutual understanding. Whether through educational programs, artistic collaborations, community activities, or cultural events, these interactions reinforce the close bonds between our societies and celebrate the shared heritage that unites us.

Taiwan’s Fleet of Friendship: A Symbol of Enduring Friendship

Another meaningful milestone this year was the visit of Taiwan’s Fleet of Friendship. For decades, the annual goodwill voyage of Taiwan’s naval training squadron has served as a symbol of friendship and partnership between Taiwan and its international friends. This year’s visit to Palau once again demonstrated the strong ties between our two nations.

Beyond the arrival of the ships themselves, the Fleet of Friendship brought opportunities for educational exchanges, cultural performances, community engagement, and interaction between Palauan citizens and Taiwan’s young naval cadets.

The visit also reflected Taiwan’s commitment to humanitarian cooperation, regional friendship, and peaceful engagement throughout the Pacific.

These exchanges remind us that strong international partnerships are built not only through government cooperation, but through personal connections and mutual understanding among ordinary people.

Working Together for a Peaceful and Prosperous Pacific

As Pacific nations face challenges ranging from climate change and natural disasters to economic uncertainty and evolving security concerns, cooperation among like-minded partners has never been more important.

Taiwan and Palau share a commitment to democracy, freedom, the rule of law, human dignity, and respect for international norms. These values provide a strong foundation for our bilateral relationship and contribute positively to peace and stability throughout the region.

Both countries recognize that sustainable development, resilient communities, and regional security are interconnected goals. A prosperous Pacific requires not only economic growth, but also trust, cooperation, and a shared commitment to addressing common challenges.

Taiwan remains committed to working alongside Palau in advancing climate resilience, sustainable development, educational opportunity, public health, and regional cooperation.

One Ocean, One Family, One Shared Future

The story of Taiwan and Palau is not simply a story of diplomatic relations. It is a story of friendship rooted in shared heritage, strengthened by shared values, and sustained by a shared vision for the future.

From infrastructure and healthcare to agriculture, tourism, education, sports, and cultural exchange, Taiwan and Palau have demonstrated what can be achieved when partners work together with trust, respect, and a common purpose.

Across the Pacific, our peoples remain connected by history, by culture, and by the ocean that has shaped our journeys for generations.

As friends, partners, and members of the broader Pacific family, Taiwan and Palau will continue working hand in hand to promote prosperity, stability, and peace—not only for our own peoples, but for the benefit of the entire region.

The ocean that connected our ancestors continues to connect us today. And together, it will guide us toward a brighter and more prosperous future. (E)