Palau, Taiwan highlight tourism, investment and fisheries opportunities

It was a 10-10 National Day celebration that showcased Palau and Taiwan’s partnership in education, tourism, private-sector investment and technology.

Taiwan Coast Guard Deputy Director-General Hsu Ching-chih said in his welcoming remarks that the celebration was the first event of its kind hosted aboard the vessel. He welcomed Whipps, senators and delegates of the Olbiil Era Kelulau, Palau’s Congress, as well as state and traditional leaders.

From left, Taiwan Coast Guard Deputy Director-General Hsu Ching-chih, President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., Palau, First Lady Valerie R. Whipps, Mrs. Amanda Lai (spouse), Ambassador Andy Kang-I Chen, Taiwan, cut the cake at the Republic of China (Taiwan) National Day celebration aboard the Coast Guard vessel Chiayi on Oct. 8 at Malakal Port, Palau.

Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. took the opportunity to renew his call to Palau’s leaders to loosen marine sanctuary restrictions to support fisheries and food security.

The economic priorities emerged during remarks at the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s 115th National Day celebration in Palau, hosted by Ambassador Chen and the Taiwan Embassy aboard the Taiwan Coast Guard vessel Chiayi.

Chen outlined a cooperation agenda spanning renewable energy, health care technology, agriculture, aquaculture, sustainable tourism and digital transformation. He also identified golf course development and private-sector investment as areas the two countries are exploring to create additional tourism opportunities.

“Taiwan and Palau will continue working on the Malakal project and Saint Palau’s Way, while exploring golf course development and private-sector investment to create new opportunities for sustainable tourism,” Chen said in prepared remarks. Those remarks did not specify project costs, investors or development schedules.

Whipps emphasized the importance of broadening Palau’s tourism base and credited cooperation with Taiwan in agriculture and aquaculture with helping improve food security and diversify the economy. He also thanked Taiwan for its support in health care, education and infrastructure.

Air connections featured in the president’s remarks as an important link between the two economies. Whipps described regularly scheduled flights connecting Palau and Taiwan as “our bridge in the sky.”
Chen said Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s visit to Palau earlier this year included discussions of further opportunities in tourism and sustainable economic development, alongside a review of existing cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, education, infrastructure and health care.

The ambassador also pointed to the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit, presented jointly by Taiwan and Palau during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, as an example of their approach to economic cooperation. He described that approach as building local capacity, empowering communities and developing technology-based solutions.

Whipps used the celebration to renew his argument for reconsidering Palau’s marine sanctuary restrictions, linking greater access for fishing to economic diversification and food security.

He said the sanctuary’s 80% protected allocation had discouraged fishing operators and argued that reduced offshore fishing activity was increasing reliance on reef fish — the same marine life visitors come to see. He also cited a Taiwanese fishing boat that had stopped operating, attributing its departure to the limited area available for fishing.

His remarks framed fisheries policy as both an economic and environmental issue: how to support local seafood supplies and fishing activity while protecting the marine resources that underpin tourism. The speech did not announce a regulatory change or a timetable for revising sanctuary rules.

“We have to look at the entire ecosystem, and whatever we do ultimately should benefit people,” Whipps said.

The setting aboard Chiayi underscored the maritime dimension of the relationship. Whipps linked island security to economic prosperity and thanked the vessel’s crew for its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Chen said Taiwan and Palau are strengthening maritime cooperation and working together to protect marine resources.

Other attendees included Ocean Conservation Administration Director General Lu Shiau-yu and Ocean Affairs Council Director Lee Shan-Ying, along with the captain, officers and crew of the Taiwan Coast Guard vessels Chiayi and Penghu, both visiting Palau.

The festivities included performances by students from Mindszenty High School’s Mandarin language class and a martial arts training demonstration by Coast Guard cadets.

Chen’s remarks presented the partnership as a platform for investment and longer-term economic development, extending beyond diplomatic exchanges to tourism, energy, technology and food production.

“Here in the Pacific, Taiwan and Palau will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder — sharing our strengths, building resilience together, and creating prosperity together,” he said. mbj

Palau, Taiwan highlight tourism, investment and fisheries opportunities