TAIWAN’S Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, arrived in Tuvalu on Wednesday as a special envoy for President Lai Ching-te.
Lin said in a Facebook post he would be briefed on the results of Taiwan–Tuvalu cooperation in smart healthcare and smart agriculture. He will also exchange views with Tuvaluan officials on collaboration in digital development, healthcare, and climate change.
This marks Lin’s third visit to Tuvalu. During a welcome ceremony, Lin said he was pleased to see Prime Minister Feleti Teo and other senior officials and looked forward to reviewing projects showcasing bilateral cooperation.
Tuvalu is one of only three Pacific nations which has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Since becoming foreign minister, Lin said he has promoted a policy of “comprehensive diplomacy” and launched the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project to strengthen partnerships with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies across multiple sectors.
When Teo visited Taiwan in November, he signed three agreements, including the Kaitasi Treaty, which aims to deepen bilateral cooperation, Lin said.
“We cherish the trust between us and will continue to move forward together to create shared prosperity,” he said.
Lin’s visit comes as China is increasing its influence in the South Pacific. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. revealed in August 2024 that China was weaponizing tourism to the Pacific island nation as punishment for maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Palau is one of Taiwan’s regional diplomatic allies.
In February 2024, Kiribati’s acting Police Commissioner Eeri Aritiera confirmed Chinese police were involved in community policing in the country, which severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2019.
In 2022, China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands, a former Taiwan ally, allowing Chinese police and military personnel to help maintain order. Chinese military ships can also make port calls in the country for resupply.
The two countries signed another security deal in 2023, bolstering cooperation in law enforcement. In September, the Solomon Islands blocked Taiwan, the U.S, China, and 21 other donor countries from the Pacific Islands Forum.
Additionally, a Chinese duo was caught in 2022 attempting to persuade Marshallese lawmakers to establish a semi-autonomous region in the Rongelap atoll, seeking to attract foreign investment through reduced taxes and lax immigration restrictions. The Marshall Islands is also a diplomatic ally.
Taiwan is helping Palau prepare to host this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, which runs from 30 August to 04 September.
The Palauan government is considering how to use the opportunity to demonstrate to participating delegations the tangible achievements of democratic cooperation in promoting regional development, good governance, and resilience, according to Michael Lin, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
PACNEWS