Lai Ching-te, Taiwan President, Visits Tuvalu and Marshall Islands... Struggling to Maintain Diplomatic Allies

Taiwan's President visited the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, countries with diplomatic ties, to 'protect' allied nations, according to Taiwan media such as Liberty Times and major foreign news outlets on the 4th (local time). Defying China's opposition, the president embarked on a South Pacific tour via Hawaii, USA.

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan (left) visited Tuvalu. Photo by AFP

According to foreign media on the day, President Lai Ching-te visited Funafuti, Tuvalu, a diplomatic partner, in the morning and met with Prime Minister Peleti Teo.

President Lai said, "Seeing Tuvaluan students waving the flags of both countries at the airport, I strongly felt the people's firm will for the diplomatic alliance between our two nations," adding, "I hope the two countries expand cooperation into more fields to further strengthen our diplomatic partnership."

In response, Prime Minister Teo expressed gratitude for Taiwan's financial support in installing submarine internet cables and climate action initiatives.

Tuvalu is a diplomatic partner of Taiwan, but ahead of Tuvalu's general election in January, there were talks that Tuvalu might sever ties with Taiwan and align with China.

However, Prime Minister Teo, who took office in February, stated that he would not sever ties with Taiwan and has been strengthening relations, including visiting Taipei in October.

Earlier, President Lai visited the Marshall Islands the previous day and emphasized in a parliamentary speech, "Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share traditional Austronesian culture and the values of liberal democracy," adding, "We are like family and close partners supporting each other."

The Austronesian peoples are spread across the Indo-Pacific islands, from Madagascar in the west to Hawaii in the east and Taiwan in the north; Taiwan's indigenous peoples are also classified as Austronesian.

President Lai also mentioned that the aircraft of Air Marshall Islands, the state-owned airline, are aging, stating, "Taiwan is willing to provide loans for the purchase of new aircraft to improve local air services."

In response, President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands said, "The Taiwanese government and people are very close and precious to our hearts," calling Taiwan a "steadfast ally."

She added, "The relationship between our two countries is mature and has endured for many years, and I am confident it will continue to develop through this visit."

President Lai plans to visit Palau on the 5th after passing through Guam, a U.S. territory, and return to Taiwan on the 6th.

The Marshall Islands and Palau are strong allies that have signed the Compact of Free Association (CFA) with the United States, and both countries maintain good relations with Taiwan, a U.S. ally.

Currently, Taiwan has diplomatic relations with 12 countries including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Palau, Guatemala, Paraguay, Vatican City (Holy See), Belize, Eswatini, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Taiwan has claimed that China is conducting 'dollar diplomacy' to induce countries to sever ties with Taiwan. Among Taiwan's diplomatic partners, the Pacific island nation Nauru severed ties in January this year, and over the past eight years, ten countries have turned their backs on Taiwan.