Palau Defends Taiwan Ties Despite China Pressure

Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. has defended his country’s diplomatic relationship with Taiwan amid growing pressure from China. In an interview with Kyodo News, Whipps said Palau has the sovereign right to recognize Taiwan and make its own diplomatic decisions. He accused Beijing of using incentives and threats in an attempt to change Palau’s position and also criticized Chinese incursions into his country’s exclusive economic zone.