Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim Makes First Visit to Palau; Snorkeling and Taiwan's Drone Diplomacy Highlight the Trip

(CNA, Taipei, June 6) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim today launched the 'Bo Rong Project,' her first official visit to Taiwan's ally, Palau, since taking office. The trip aims to deepen Taiwan-Palau relations, witness the results of the 'Rong Bang' cooperation plan, and help promote sustainable tourism. Vice President Hsiao will go snorkeling with Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. to experience 'God's aquarium' and attend a drone donation ceremony and demonstration, showcasing Taiwan's achievements in tourism and tech diplomacy.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim today began a 5-day visit to Palau leading a delegation. President Lai Ching-te expects the delegation to achieve three main goals: deepening bilateral ties, assisting Palau in promoting sustainable tourism, and witnessing the results of the Taiwan-Palau 'Rong Bang' cooperation plan. This is Vice President Hsiao's first overseas trip since taking office.

According to sources, the biggest highlight of the trip is to help promote tourism to Palau, known as 'God's aquarium' and a paradise for divers, just ahead of the summer vacation season.

On June 7, the Vice President is scheduled to take a boat to natural and historical sites in Palau, including the southern lagoon of the UNESCO-listed Rock Islands and Peleliu Island. Vice President Hsiao and President Whipps will go kayaking at the Big Drop-Off and snorkel in wetsuits and gear made in Taiwan to explore the underwater world. In the evening, she will attend a welcome banquet hosted by President Whipps.

On June 8, the Vice President will visit President Whipps at his office, tour the parliament and capital building complex, and deliver a short speech at the parliament to deepen bilateral ties. She will then attend a 'Drone Donation Ceremony and Demonstration.'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a 'Drone Diplomacy Task Force' to replicate the 'Chip Diplomacy' model and make Taiwan the 'Asian Center for the Democratic Drone Supply Chain.' The three core policy goals are: first, donating commercial drones to meet the needs of allies (e.g., for smart agriculture, maritime surveillance, and disaster prevention); second, establishing an International Drone Academy to train drone pilots and technicians from allies and third countries, creating an international pilot alliance; and third, aligning standards and regulations by exporting Taiwan's drone certification and testing norms to increase allies' market reliance on Taiwanese manufacturers.

The Vice President will then attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Taiwan-funded construction project in Ngatpang State, inspect agricultural products from the Taiwan Technical Mission in Palau, and have dinner with traditional Palauan leaders.

On June 9, the Vice President will inspect the implementation of the Malakal Island development project at Long Beach Park, visit the Palau National Aquaculture Center and the Giant Clam Restoration Center, which includes rabbitfish fry areas, broodstock areas, sea cucumber broodstock areas, and milkfish broodstock ponds. She will also visit the Palau National Hospital and the National Museum. At the museum, she will tour the Men's Meeting House, view the exhibition on Palau's giant earthwork remains and the special exhibition on Taiwan's indigenous peoples, and see artifacts from the Spanish, German, Japanese colonial periods and the US Trust Territory period.

On June 10, the Vice President will have a tea gathering with the delegation, attend a thank-you luncheon, and inspect the Taiwan Embassy in Palau. She is expected to return to Taiwan on the evening of June 10 (Taiwan time) and deliver a speech at the airport on the outcomes of the visit. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150606