Taipei: Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. arrived in Taiwan on Monday night, marking his first visit to the country since the commencement of his second term earlier this year. Whipps, along with his delegation, was welcomed at Taoyuan International Airport by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.

According to Focus Taiwan, Whipps expressed his excitement and honor to be back in Taiwan for his first state visit since his inauguration in January. Accompanying Whipps on this visit are Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure and Industries Minister Charles Obichang, and Human Resources, Culture, and Development Minister Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl. Whipps emphasized the representation of the entire government on this visit as a testament to the close relationship between Palau and Taiwan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated that Whipps and his 12-member delegation will remain in Taiwan until Saturday. On Tuesday, President Lai Ching-te will formally welcome the Palauan leader with military honors. The two leaders will oversee the signing of a technological cooperation agreement and an agreement concerning the training of diplomatic personnel, as highlighted in a MOFA press release.

Whipps, a consistent supporter of Taiwan since taking office in 2021, was re-elected in November 2024 and officially began his second four-year term in January. Foreign Minister Lin represented President Lai Ching-te as a special envoy at Whipps’s inauguration in January.