Palau President Whipps: If Taiwan's Sovereignty Is Not Recognized, How Can the Sovereignty of Small Nations Be Respected?

(Central News Agency, Koror, Palau, June 7) Palau President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., stated at a banquet for Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim on the evening of June 7 that if Taiwan's sovereignty cannot be recognized, how can the sovereignty of small nations, including Palau, be respected? He affirmed Palau's support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and expressed hope for increasing direct flights between Taiwan and Palau to deepen bilateral exchanges. During his speech, he introduced the diplomatic envoys to Palau from Australia, Japan, and the United States, emphasizing the support of like-minded nations for the values of freedom and democracy.

Vice President Hsiao led a delegation to Palau the previous day. On the morning of June 7, under the personal planning and piloting of President Whipps, they jointly sailed to the famous scenic spot "Big Drop Off" in the southern lagoon of the Rock Islands for snorkeling, experiencing the beautiful tropical marine ecology. In the afternoon, she paid respects at the monument and grave of former Palau President Nakamura Kuniwo, visited the World War II Memorial Museum, and attended President Whipps' banquet in the evening.

Speaking at the banquet, Vice President Hsiao stated that her mission to Palau was threefold: to deepen the friendship between the people of Taiwan and Palau, to promote tourism in Palau, and to witness the results of bilateral cooperation. She thanked President Whipps for personally accompanying her on visits from the Rock Islands to Peleliu, allowing her to not only experience Palau's magnificent natural landscapes and sustainable tourism achievements but also to deeply feel the profound friendship between the two peoples.

The Vice President noted that Palau is one of the few important diplomatic allies of Taiwan that can be reached by a short direct flight, and she believes Palau's unique natural landscapes and sustainable tourism features will attract more Taiwanese tourists. In the coming days, she will continue to visit the results of Taiwan-Palau cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, and public health.

Vice President Hsiao said that visiting the World War II historical sites on Peleliu gave her a deeper appreciation for the value of peace. The Pacific Ocean that lies between the two countries is not a barrier but a bridge connecting the cultures, people, and values of Taiwan and Palau. Both Taiwan and Palau are maritime nations sharing the ideals of democracy, freedom, and environmental protection, and they will continue to work together to show the world that both are indispensable forces for good in the international community.

President Whipps specifically introduced the diplomatic corps in Palau, including Australian Ambassador Toby Sharpe, Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Kasahara, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Shankar Rao, and honorary consuls from Croatia, India, Austria, and Germany. He emphasized that the gathering of so many international partners fully demonstrates Palau's strong partnership with like-minded nations in upholding freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

President Whipps noted that during his recent visit to Japan, he gave interviews to several media outlets including Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun, Kyodo News, and NHK, and that the Japanese media were almost entirely focused on the Taiwan issue. He clearly stated to the Japanese media that Palau's relationship with Taiwan is very strong and growing, that they share common interests, and that they jointly uphold a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific vision.

President Whipps emphasized, "If Taiwan's sovereignty cannot be recognized, how can the sovereignty of small nations, including Palau, be respected? We might as well eliminate all small nations." He called on all countries to jointly defend freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. He described Taiwan as a model of prosperous development and democratic governance, demonstrating leadership in areas such as healthcare, technology, and aviation, and argued that Taiwan should be included in important international discussions and decision-making mechanisms.

President Whipps reiterated his support for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He believes that the voices of all countries should be heard and that knowledge and technology should be shared for the benefit of all humanity.

Regarding tourism cooperation, President Whipps revealed that he had suggested to then-President Tsai Ing-wen that pandemic-era charter flights be converted to regular flights. President Tsai immediately instructed then-Vice President Lai Ching-te to help facilitate this. Currently, regular flights between Taiwan and Palau have increased from an initial 2 flights per week to 4 flights per week. He expressed hope for further increases in flight frequency, even aiming for daily direct flights, and also looked forward to the opening of a direct route between Kaohsiung and Palau to attract more Taiwanese tourists.

President Whipps also called on airlines and tourism industry stakeholders to bring Palau's expectations back to Taiwan, jointly promote tourism development, and continue to strengthen the Taiwan-Palau partnership. (Editor: Lin Kelun, Yang Lanxuan) 1150607