Palau President Accuses China of Tourism Coercion

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. has accused China of 'weaponizing tourism' to pressure the Pacific nation into severing ties with Taiwan, which is recognized as an independent democracy by Palau. Whipps claims that Beijing has promised significant economic benefits if Palau aligns with China, but he emphasized the importance of maintaining their relationship with Taiwan, especially as Palau is one of the few nations still supporting Taipei. Recent Chinese media reports have labeled Palau as an unsafe travel destination, which Whipps argues is part of China's strategy to diminish tourism, a sector that constitutes over half of Palau's GDP. He also noted that Palau was barred from attending a travel agents' conference in Macau, highlighting the consequences of its diplomatic stance. As more Pacific nations switch allegiance to China, the pressure on Palau from Beijing continues to escalate, particularly ahead of the upcoming elections. Whipps remains resolute in his commitment to Taiwan despite the potential economic ramifications from China.