Vice President Johnny C. Chiang of the Legislative Yuan receives and hosts luncheon for five-member Palauan delegation led by Speaker of the House of Delegates of Palau Gibson Kanai and his wife; Vice President Chiang: Enduring Taiwan–Palau partnership yields steady progress in bilateral cooperation.
On the afternoon of September 23, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan, Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣), accompanied by KMT Legislator Huang Jen, DPP Legislator Kuo Yu-Ching, and Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the Department of International Affairs, received and hosted a luncheon for a five-member Palauan delegation led by Hon. Gibson Kanai, Speaker of the House of Delegates of the Republic of Palau, and his wife. Secretary-General Daniel Kuo-Ching Chen of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General of the Protocol Department Chen Hsin-Hsin, and Deputy Director-General Liu Kun-Hao of the Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs also joined the meeting.
Upon the arrival of the delegation, led by Speaker Kanai and his wife, at the Legislative Yuan, Vice President Chiang welcomed them at the main entrance. Legislator Huang presented a bouquet to Madam Elsie Rechuld Uherbelau, the Speaker’s wife, before accompanying the delegation to the reception room. Vice President Chiang invited Speaker Kanai to leave a message and signature in the Legislative Yuan’s guest book. He then joined the visiting delegation and attending legislators for group photos, capturing this memorable occasion.
Vice President Chiang opened the meeting by extending a warm welcome to the delegation on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and its President, Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜). He remarked that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Palau in 1999, their bilateral friendship has remained strong, the foundation for cooperation has been solid, and the relationship has continued to deepen. Vice President Chiang reflected on his past interactions with Palauan parliamentarians, including the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU) conferences held in Tokyo in March 2024 and in Taipei in August 2025, as well as the visit of Palau’s congratulatory delegation during President Lai’s inauguration in May last year. He expressed his deep honor in receiving Speaker Kanai at the Legislative Yuan on this occasion.
Vice President Chiang expressed his sincere appreciation to Speaker Kanai for his steadfast support of Taiwan since he joined the Palau National Congress in 2008. When he took office as Speaker of the House of Delegates in January, Speaker Kanai promptly facilitated the passage of a joint resolution by both chambers of the National Congress in May, expressing strong support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, China Airlines operates four direct flights per week to Palau, facilitating bilateral exchanges and injecting fresh momentum into tourism and cultural interactions. Taiwan has become a key source of tourists for Palau, and Taiwanese people are deeply impressed by Palau’s natural beauty and warm hospitality.
Vice President Chiang noted that cooperation between Taiwan and Palau in areas such as ecological conservation and agricultural development continues to deepen, with promising prospects for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes in the future. Taiwan and Palau are both maritime nations in the Pacific, whose strategic locations contribute significantly to regional stability. Palau is situated along a key maritime route between Asia and the western coast of the United States, and serves as a strategic hub in the U.S. “Freedom Corridor.”
Vice President Chiang emphasized that Taiwan will continue to uphold the principle of peace, safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait, and work hand in hand with Palau and other democratic partners to tackle regional challenges and jointly protect peace and stability. He also expressed gratitude to Palau for its continued support of initiatives proposed by Taiwan at the APPU conferences. He added that in March 2024, prompted by DPP Legislator Chung Chia-Pin, lawmakers across party lines in the Legislative Yuan jointly launched the Taiwan–Palau Parliamentary Friendship Association, highlighting that this platform seeks to enhance interparliamentary dialogue and consolidate the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Vice President Chiang concluded by thanking the visiting delegation once again for their presence, expressing his hope that Taiwan and Palau will continue to deepen cooperation across a broader range of fields, creating lasting prosperity and well-being for the peoples of both nations.
Speaker Kanai expressed his gratitude to Vice President Chiang and the attending legislators for taking the time to meet with them, and conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the people of Taiwan. He emphasized that Taiwan and Palau are not only close diplomatic partners, but also share family-like values—standing together to defend democracy, confront global challenges, and thrive in mutual solidarity. He fondly recalled the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Palau in December 1999, noting that the two countries have supported each other over the past 26 years. This enduring friendship, he emphasized, is hard-earned and deeply cherished.
Speaker Kanai pointed out that Taiwan’s support for Palau spans a wide range of areas: first, infrastructure assistance; second, cooperation in agriculture and food security; third, educational support, including scholarships and training opportunities that empower Palauan students to give back to their homeland; and fourth, medical cooperation, where Taiwan’s medical technology and equipment have brought about substantial improvements for the people of Palau. Moreover, Taiwan has supported the Palau National Congress in its digital transformation by implementing an electronic voting system, which aims to enhance transparency and efficiency for the benefit of the people.
Speaker Kanai also expressed his appreciation for Taiwan’s support in the field of sports, noting that Taiwan’s sports diplomacy has played a positive role in advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In mid-September, Palau sent a sports team to Taiwan for training, marking one of the finest examples of bilateral cooperation.
After exchanging gifts, the luncheon commenced. Legislator Huang noted that he and Vice President Chiang both serve on the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, and are committed to promoting indigenous diplomacy and youth exchange. He further thanked Palau for its enduring support of Taiwan, and looked forward to more mutual visits focused on indigenous cultural ties and youth interaction.
Legislator Kuo fondly remembered her visit to the Palau National Congress last year alongside Legislator Chung, noting that she was deeply impressed by Palau’s natural beauty and rich culture. She expressed her desire to return to Palau someday and wished the delegation an enjoyable stay in Taiwan.
They continued to have extensive and in-depth discussions on a range of topics, including Austronesian indigenous cultural exchanges, tourism and direct flights, economic and trade cooperation, and sports development. The luncheon lasted approximately 105 minutes in a warm and lively atmosphere. After the luncheon, the delegation concluded its visit with a guided tour of the chamber, led by staff from the Department of International Affairs.
Upon the arrival of the delegation, led by Speaker Kanai and his wife, at the Legislative Yuan, Vice President Chiang welcomed them at the main entrance. Legislator Huang presented a bouquet to Madam Elsie Rechuld Uherbelau, the Speaker’s wife, before accompanying the delegation to the reception room. Vice President Chiang invited Speaker Kanai to leave a message and signature in the Legislative Yuan’s guest book. He then joined the visiting delegation and attending legislators for group photos, capturing this memorable occasion.
Vice President Chiang opened the meeting by extending a warm welcome to the delegation on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and its President, Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜). He remarked that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Palau in 1999, their bilateral friendship has remained strong, the foundation for cooperation has been solid, and the relationship has continued to deepen. Vice President Chiang reflected on his past interactions with Palauan parliamentarians, including the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU) conferences held in Tokyo in March 2024 and in Taipei in August 2025, as well as the visit of Palau’s congratulatory delegation during President Lai’s inauguration in May last year. He expressed his deep honor in receiving Speaker Kanai at the Legislative Yuan on this occasion.
Vice President Chiang expressed his sincere appreciation to Speaker Kanai for his steadfast support of Taiwan since he joined the Palau National Congress in 2008. When he took office as Speaker of the House of Delegates in January, Speaker Kanai promptly facilitated the passage of a joint resolution by both chambers of the National Congress in May, expressing strong support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, China Airlines operates four direct flights per week to Palau, facilitating bilateral exchanges and injecting fresh momentum into tourism and cultural interactions. Taiwan has become a key source of tourists for Palau, and Taiwanese people are deeply impressed by Palau’s natural beauty and warm hospitality.
Vice President Chiang noted that cooperation between Taiwan and Palau in areas such as ecological conservation and agricultural development continues to deepen, with promising prospects for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes in the future. Taiwan and Palau are both maritime nations in the Pacific, whose strategic locations contribute significantly to regional stability. Palau is situated along a key maritime route between Asia and the western coast of the United States, and serves as a strategic hub in the U.S. “Freedom Corridor.”
Vice President Chiang emphasized that Taiwan will continue to uphold the principle of peace, safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait, and work hand in hand with Palau and other democratic partners to tackle regional challenges and jointly protect peace and stability. He also expressed gratitude to Palau for its continued support of initiatives proposed by Taiwan at the APPU conferences. He added that in March 2024, prompted by DPP Legislator Chung Chia-Pin, lawmakers across party lines in the Legislative Yuan jointly launched the Taiwan–Palau Parliamentary Friendship Association, highlighting that this platform seeks to enhance interparliamentary dialogue and consolidate the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Vice President Chiang concluded by thanking the visiting delegation once again for their presence, expressing his hope that Taiwan and Palau will continue to deepen cooperation across a broader range of fields, creating lasting prosperity and well-being for the peoples of both nations.
Speaker Kanai expressed his gratitude to Vice President Chiang and the attending legislators for taking the time to meet with them, and conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the people of Taiwan. He emphasized that Taiwan and Palau are not only close diplomatic partners, but also share family-like values—standing together to defend democracy, confront global challenges, and thrive in mutual solidarity. He fondly recalled the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Palau in December 1999, noting that the two countries have supported each other over the past 26 years. This enduring friendship, he emphasized, is hard-earned and deeply cherished.
Speaker Kanai pointed out that Taiwan’s support for Palau spans a wide range of areas: first, infrastructure assistance; second, cooperation in agriculture and food security; third, educational support, including scholarships and training opportunities that empower Palauan students to give back to their homeland; and fourth, medical cooperation, where Taiwan’s medical technology and equipment have brought about substantial improvements for the people of Palau. Moreover, Taiwan has supported the Palau National Congress in its digital transformation by implementing an electronic voting system, which aims to enhance transparency and efficiency for the benefit of the people.
Speaker Kanai also expressed his appreciation for Taiwan’s support in the field of sports, noting that Taiwan’s sports diplomacy has played a positive role in advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In mid-September, Palau sent a sports team to Taiwan for training, marking one of the finest examples of bilateral cooperation.
After exchanging gifts, the luncheon commenced. Legislator Huang noted that he and Vice President Chiang both serve on the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, and are committed to promoting indigenous diplomacy and youth exchange. He further thanked Palau for its enduring support of Taiwan, and looked forward to more mutual visits focused on indigenous cultural ties and youth interaction.
Legislator Kuo fondly remembered her visit to the Palau National Congress last year alongside Legislator Chung, noting that she was deeply impressed by Palau’s natural beauty and rich culture. She expressed her desire to return to Palau someday and wished the delegation an enjoyable stay in Taiwan.
They continued to have extensive and in-depth discussions on a range of topics, including Austronesian indigenous cultural exchanges, tourism and direct flights, economic and trade cooperation, and sports development. The luncheon lasted approximately 105 minutes in a warm and lively atmosphere. After the luncheon, the delegation concluded its visit with a guided tour of the chamber, led by staff from the Department of International Affairs.