President Surangel Whipps Jr.: Taiwan and Palau are one family, stronger together
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim concluded her visit to Palau, witnessing cooperation results in healthcare, education, and agriculture. President Surangel Whipps Jr. reaffirmed support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, emphasizing the unity of the two nations.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 15:06
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 15:13 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 15:14 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Koror, Palau, June 10) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated at a farewell banquet concluding her visit to Palau today that the trip witnessed the results of Taiwan-Palau cooperation in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture and fisheries, digital development, and infrastructure, while also deepening the connection between their shared Austronesian cultures. Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. reiterated his support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, emphasizing that "Taiwan and Palau are one family; together we are stronger," and that they should join hands to promote peace and prosperity in the Pacific region.
In her address, Vice President Hsiao thanked President Whipps, his administration, the National Congress, and all those involved in the preparations. She noted the special place of taro in Palauan and Pacific culture and daily life, mentioning that she had enjoyed various versions of taro dishes during her stay. She specially invited the hotel chef to prepare a Taiwanese-style dish using taro brought from Taiwan, hoping everyone would enjoy this taste of Taiwan alongside the evening's rich offerings.
She said the trip provided an opportunity to experience Palau's rich natural and cultural assets firsthand, including famous sites in the southern lagoon of the Rock Islands, waterways, and Shark City, as well as a visit to historic Peleliu State, further appreciating Palau's magnificent landscapes, profound culture, and the resilient spirit of its people.
She stated that she delivered a speech at the Palau National Congress and participated in activities related to inter-state road construction projects, witnessing the results of Taiwan-Palau cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, education, and digital development. She also received briefings on the Long Island Park improvement plan and public construction projects in Koror State, understanding the progress of jointly promoted infrastructure development.
Regarding healthcare cooperation, she said that through a visit to the Palau National Hospital and a briefing from the Taiwanese medical team, she saw Taiwan's contribution to Palau's public health. She also shared an anecdote about encountering a doctor from Taiwan on a volunteer medical mission in Palau while walking near her hotel, demonstrating the spirit of Taiwanese civil society engaging in international cooperation and humanitarian care.
The Vice President said that during the visit, in addition to exchanges with government officials, she discussed the shared Austronesian and indigenous cultural connections with people from various fields. These exchanges reflect the steady development of the Taiwan-Palau partnership and help further deepen cooperation to jointly promote sustainable economic growth and create more opportunities for the people.
President Whipps expressed his hope that Vice President Hsiao would visit Palau again, saying that a 3-4 day trip is insufficient to fully experience Palau's charm, and he hopes more Taiwanese tourists will stay longer to get to know Palau deeply.
He pointed out that Vice President Hsiao's speech at the Palau National Congress once again demonstrated Taiwan's commitment to Palau and its determination to jointly defend freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. He reiterated that Taiwan should participate in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) because Taiwan has the capability and willingness to contribute to the international community.
Whipps said that Palau and Taiwan have both experienced challenges such as war and the pandemic, and deeply understand the importance of unity. He agreed with Vice President Hsiao's philosophy of "better together" and stated "together we are stronger," emphasizing that Taiwan and Palau belong to the same Austronesian family and should continue to work together to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region.
President Whipps also asked Vice President Hsiao to convey his regards to President Lai Ching-te, expressing his hope that President Lai would visit Palau again to further deepen their friendship, partnership, and shared prosperity. (Editor: Wan Shuzhang) 1150610
In her address, Vice President Hsiao thanked President Whipps, his administration, the National Congress, and all those involved in the preparations. She noted the special place of taro in Palauan and Pacific culture and daily life, mentioning that she had enjoyed various versions of taro dishes during her stay. She specially invited the hotel chef to prepare a Taiwanese-style dish using taro brought from Taiwan, hoping everyone would enjoy this taste of Taiwan alongside the evening's rich offerings.
She said the trip provided an opportunity to experience Palau's rich natural and cultural assets firsthand, including famous sites in the southern lagoon of the Rock Islands, waterways, and Shark City, as well as a visit to historic Peleliu State, further appreciating Palau's magnificent landscapes, profound culture, and the resilient spirit of its people.
She stated that she delivered a speech at the Palau National Congress and participated in activities related to inter-state road construction projects, witnessing the results of Taiwan-Palau cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, education, and digital development. She also received briefings on the Long Island Park improvement plan and public construction projects in Koror State, understanding the progress of jointly promoted infrastructure development.
Regarding healthcare cooperation, she said that through a visit to the Palau National Hospital and a briefing from the Taiwanese medical team, she saw Taiwan's contribution to Palau's public health. She also shared an anecdote about encountering a doctor from Taiwan on a volunteer medical mission in Palau while walking near her hotel, demonstrating the spirit of Taiwanese civil society engaging in international cooperation and humanitarian care.
The Vice President said that during the visit, in addition to exchanges with government officials, she discussed the shared Austronesian and indigenous cultural connections with people from various fields. These exchanges reflect the steady development of the Taiwan-Palau partnership and help further deepen cooperation to jointly promote sustainable economic growth and create more opportunities for the people.
President Whipps expressed his hope that Vice President Hsiao would visit Palau again, saying that a 3-4 day trip is insufficient to fully experience Palau's charm, and he hopes more Taiwanese tourists will stay longer to get to know Palau deeply.
He pointed out that Vice President Hsiao's speech at the Palau National Congress once again demonstrated Taiwan's commitment to Palau and its determination to jointly defend freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. He reiterated that Taiwan should participate in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) because Taiwan has the capability and willingness to contribute to the international community.
Whipps said that Palau and Taiwan have both experienced challenges such as war and the pandemic, and deeply understand the importance of unity. He agreed with Vice President Hsiao's philosophy of "better together" and stated "together we are stronger," emphasizing that Taiwan and Palau belong to the same Austronesian family and should continue to work together to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region.
President Whipps also asked Vice President Hsiao to convey his regards to President Lai Ching-te, expressing his hope that President Lai would visit Palau again to further deepen their friendship, partnership, and shared prosperity. (Editor: Wan Shuzhang) 1150610
FAQ
What did Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim do in Palau?
She delivered a speech at the Palau National Congress, visited medical facilities and infrastructure projects, and engaged in Austronesian cultural exchanges.
What did the President of Palau say about Taiwan's international participation?
He stated that Taiwan should participate in the WHO and ICAO, as it has the capability and willingness to contribute to the international community.
What were the main outcomes of this visit?
Confirmed progress in cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, and digital development, and reaffirmed the unity between the two nations.