Amid news of dissent among Palauan government leaders in terms of showing support for China or Taiwan, President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. remains firm with his stance in supporting the latter.
 
President Remengesau, in his letter of congratulations for Taiwan’s celebration of its 107th National Day that was addressed to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen, reiterated that Palau continues to cherish its relationship with Taiwan and it believes in its ability to contribute in addressing world issues and in attaining the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
 
“As you celebrate this 107th year of your National Independence, we reflect on our shared values of democracy, peace, and freedom and we look towards many more years of strengthening our partnership and our common democratic principles – the very foundations on which our respective countries are built and will continue to move forward upon,” the president stated in the letter.
 
“The people and government of the Republic of Palau join the people and government of Taiwan in celebrating her 107 years of National Independence,” the letter reads.
 
Recently, a Taiwan-based news outfit quoted Palau’s House of Delegates Speaker Sabino Anastacio in saying that Palau might switch to supporting China in two years, adding that he wanted Chinese tourists to visit Palau and to have more flights from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to the country.
 
This is not the first time that the Speaker has publicly expressed his leaning towards China as during a groundbreaking ceremony for a Chinese-back resort in Palau in July this year, he and Palau Senate President Hokkons Baules had been publicly vocal in supporting China.
 
These claims however were in contrast to the public statements made by Palau’s President. In the recently concluded 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Remengesau has joined other nations in urging the UN to recognise Taiwan

SOURCE: ISLAND TIMES/PACNEWS

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