Taiwan, Palau ties will grow ‘strength to strength’ – Minister Wu

Taiwan and Palau’s bilateral relationship will go further from “strength to strength,” Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said following his attendance at President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s inauguration last week.
“And if you listen to his (President Whipps) inaugural address, I am more confident than ever in thinking that we have a lot more to do and the relationship will go from strength to strength under the new leadership,” Whipps said.
Whipps in his inaugural speech warned of “foreign aggressors” and thanked the country’s diplomatic allies, including Taiwan in protecting the country and helping combat climate change.
“Our friendships have not always been taken well by others; some nations have tried to muscle their way into our country as they have elsewhere. Palau has rightfully rebuffed these aggressive actions and will continue to do so. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest form of appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them; and so, we shall. The Republic of Palau stands strong with the United States, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and every other member of the international community that supports freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and unwavering respect for human rights.”
Minister Wu said while Whipps did not mention China, the statement was unmistakably directed at Beijing.
Wu said Palau will continue to work with Palau in economic development, agriculture and provide scholarship to the younger Palauan generation.
He said that only Palau is supporting Taiwan but other like-minded nations such as the United States.
Minister Wu said he is also confident that Taiwan’s relationship with the US under the Biden administration will be stronger.
He added that Taiwan will also be strengthening its ties with its allies in the Pacific.
He said there is now a growing awareness in the International community on what “China is all about and it’s not “strategic” for more nations to switch allegiance to Beijing.
Wu said after the Solomon Islands and Kiribati switch ties from Taiwan and China, the other nations like Australia, Japan, and the US realized that China is not only Taipei’s problem.
“There’s already a very clear awareness of what China is about … China’s way of forcing itself into the Pacific is going to cause strategic problems,” he said.