U.S. Backs Taiwan’s Role in Pacific Islands Forum

Palau: The U.S. State Department has announced its firm support for Taiwan's continued involvement in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), emphasizing Taiwan's role as a dependable partner, as Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung visits Palau for events connected to the 55th PIF Leaders Meeting. According to Focus Taiwan, a State Department spokesperson conveyed in an email that Taiwan has been a development partner within the PIF for over 30 years. The spokesperson highlighted Taiwan's contributions to prosperity and economic development across the Pacific, describing it as a reliable and democratic partner. The spokesperson also noted the Trump administration's focus on its Pacific island partners, with Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau planning to attend the forum during his third visit to the region. The U.S. State Department news release outlines Landau's travel itinerary, which includes visits to Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati from August 31 to September 11. His part icipation in the forum aims to strengthen ties between the United States and Pacific island governments. Meanwhile, Lin leads a delegation to Palau from August 27 to September 3, engaging in events related to the Leaders Meeting and conducting sideline discussions with delegations from Taiwan's Pacific allies and other supportive nations. The Leaders Meeting is set to occur from August 30 to September 4, involving 18 member countries, including Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu, which are among Taiwan's diplomatic allies. Since 1993, Taiwan has participated in the PIF as a "development partner" under the name "Taiwan/Republic of China," continuously collaborating and engaging with PIF member nations.