China Demands Abandonment of Taiwan Recognition, Palau President Emphasizes Independent Choice of Allies
Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. revealed that China had "very directly" demanded Palau abandon diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, but Palau asserted its right to choose allies independently. The President also highlighted the "huge impact" of the global oil crisis on Palauans and the severe threat of sea-level rise due to climate change, with some atolls potentially disappearing within years. Palau plans to host a special climate event in early September, ahead of COP31 in November.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 19:25
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 19:31 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:40 (48h 8m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Auckland, April 13, comprehensive foreign report) Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. told AFP today that Beijing had "very directly" asked Palau to abandon its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, but Palau does not accept others dictating its allies. He also mentioned that the global oil crisis has had a huge impact on the people of Palau.
AFP reported that Whipps Jr. stated: "China has been very direct in saying that we must condemn Taiwan."
"We have said, 'We have no enemies, but no one can tell us who our friends are.'"
Whipps Jr. also said: "They (China) came to contact us, they have their opinions. I understand their position, and we have also made our position very clear."
He further emphasized: "Those of us who support Taiwan have the same rights as those who support China, and we should be treated equally."
In addition, Whipps Jr. also mentioned in an exclusive interview with AFP during his visit to Auckland, New Zealand today that the surge in oil prices caused by the Middle East war has had a "huge impact" on the people of the Pacific island nation of Palau.
He said that 70% of Palau's electricity comes from diesel generators, and the price of diesel has doubled, affecting the entire economy, including the public and their livelihoods.
Whipps Jr. told AFP: "Gasoline prices have not doubled, but they have increased by at least 50%. For those who have to commute, this is a heavy burden."
Palau is also considered extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise caused by climate change. Whipps Jr. admitted that some of Palau's atolls may disappear within the next few years.
Turkey will host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in November this year. Palau will first host a special climate event in early September during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting.
Whipps Jr. told AFP that many countries find it difficult to understand how much of a threat climate change poses to countries like Palau, describing their current situation as "slowly dying," "watching islands disappear."
He said: "There is an island in Palau whose area is now only one-third of what it was when I first visited in 1980."
"We are losing land, and that is the root of our culture." (Compiler: Yang Chao-yen) 1150413
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(Central News Agency, Auckland, April 13, comprehensive foreign report) Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. told AFP today that Beijing had "very directly" asked Palau to abandon its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, but Palau does not accept others dictating its allies. He also mentioned that the global oil crisis has had a huge impact on the people of Palau.
AFP reported that Whipps Jr. stated: "China has been very direct in saying that we must condemn Taiwan."
"We have said, 'We have no enemies, but no one can tell us who our friends are.'"
Whipps Jr. also said: "They (China) came to contact us, they have their opinions. I understand their position, and we have also made our position very clear."
He further emphasized: "Those of us who support Taiwan have the same rights as those who support China, and we should be treated equally."
In addition, Whipps Jr. also mentioned in an exclusive interview with AFP during his visit to Auckland, New Zealand today that the surge in oil prices caused by the Middle East war has had a "huge impact" on the people of the Pacific island nation of Palau.
He said that 70% of Palau's electricity comes from diesel generators, and the price of diesel has doubled, affecting the entire economy, including the public and their livelihoods.
Whipps Jr. told AFP: "Gasoline prices have not doubled, but they have increased by at least 50%. For those who have to commute, this is a heavy burden."
Palau is also considered extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise caused by climate change. Whipps Jr. admitted that some of Palau's atolls may disappear within the next few years.
Turkey will host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in November this year. Palau will first host a special climate event in early September during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting.
Whipps Jr. told AFP that many countries find it difficult to understand how much of a threat climate change poses to countries like Palau, describing their current situation as "slowly dying," "watching islands disappear."
He said: "There is an island in Palau whose area is now only one-third of what it was when I first visited in 1980."
"We are losing land, and that is the root of our culture." (Compiler: Yang Chao-yen) 1150413
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.