Vice President Promotes Drone Diplomacy to Help Palau Strengthen Maritime Governance and Disaster Resilience

(Central News Agency, Koror, Palau, 10th) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated today that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a drone diplomacy project. The goal is to share Taiwan's domestically developed drone technology with allied nations. Through training and capacity building, the project will assist partner countries in developing applications, which can be used in areas such as maritime patrol, disaster relief, and logistics delivery to remote areas. The Vice President pointed out that Palau faces challenges including illegal fishing, drug smuggling, and climate change. In the future, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation through drone diplomacy. Vice President Hsiao embarked on a 5-day, 4-night "Palau Honor Project" on the 6th and is expected to return home tonight. In the morning, she shared her insights from the trip with accompanying journalists. A thank-you banquet will be held at the hotel at noon, which Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. will attend. In the afternoon, the Vice President will inspect the Taiwan Embassy in Palau before leading the delegation back to Taiwan. The Vice President told the media that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the drone diplomacy project, hoping to share Taiwan's independently developed drone achievements with allies. As the project is in its early stages, it will start with training and capacity building to help partner countries cultivate operational and application talent. She noted that this time, Taiwan-made drones were brought to Palau for demonstration and exchange. In the future, different application models will be developed based on each country's needs. Using Palau as an example, it has vast territorial waters and an exclusive economic zone. In recent years, it has faced challenges from illegal activities, including drug smuggling and illegal fishing. Therefore, there is significant potential for application in maritime patrol and law enforcement. The Vice President said that Palau and Taiwan both face pressure from climate change. She mentioned that a severe typhoon had caused a massive loss of traditional weaving materials, showing the profound impact of climate change on island nations. Therefore, drones can be used not only for disaster monitoring but also for logistics transport and emergency supply delivery to remote islands. She said that Taiwanese medical teams frequently conduct free clinics on Peleliu and other outlying islands. If drones can be used to deliver emergency medicine or medical supplies, it would help improve the efficiency of services to these islands. Related applications are being continuously developed and tested through hackathons and government ministries. The Vice President stated that Taiwan has been actively promoting the autonomous development of drones. Although the budget for defense-related drones has not yet received support from the Legislative Yuan, the government will continue to communicate with society and the legislature. She believes that if stable, long-term defense needs can drive industrial development, it will not only help expand the scale of the domestic drone industry but also enhance technological capabilities and international competitiveness, further expanding opportunities for international cooperation. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150610