Vice President Hsiao Addresses Palauan Congress, Witnesses Drone Donation to Deepen Tech Cooperation

During her visit to Palau, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is scheduled to deliver a speech in the domed atrium of the Palau National Congress and attend a drone donation and demonstration event today. This demonstrates the solid partnership between Taiwan and Palau, which is based on shared democratic values, deepened technological cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable development.

In the morning, Vice President Hsiao will visit the President's Office to meet with Palauan President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., before heading to the Palau National Congress to deliver her speech. This address is considered one of the most important public events of her visit and is expected to focus on issues such as the Taiwan-Palau friendship, democratic partnership cooperation, and regional peace and stability, conveying Taiwan's firm stance on continuing to work with like-minded countries. Local Palauan media will also be present to cover the event and witness this important moment in the two countries' friendly relations.

After the speech, Vice President Hsiao will attend the drone donation and demonstration event, witnessing a key outcome of Taiwan's assistance in promoting technological application and capacity building in Palau. In addition to showcasing the drone equipment donated by Taiwan, a flight demonstration will be arranged, weather permitting, to present the technical strength and application results of Taiwan's drone industry. This symbolizes the expansion of Taiwan-Palau cooperation from traditional aid to smart technology and resilience building.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the drone industry is another important strategic industry for Taiwan after semiconductors, and is also a key part of President Lai Ching-te's 'Five Great Trust Industries' policy. To integrate industrial advantages with comprehensive diplomacy, MOFA established a 'Drone Diplomacy Task Force' last year, actively deepening cooperation with allies through equipment donations, institutional exchanges, and talent training, while promoting Taiwan's goal of becoming an 'Asian hub for the democratic supply chain of drones.'

MOFA stated that 'drone diplomacy' draws on the successful experience of 'chip diplomacy,' hoping to enhance international influence through Taiwan's advantages in drone R&D, manufacturing, and supply chains. In the future, besides donating domestically produced drone equipment to allies, Taiwan will also assist in establishing related laws, certification systems, and operational training mechanisms, and will collaborate with the 'Rong-Bang Program' to help allies improve their capabilities in disaster relief, national land surveillance, and public services.

In recent years, MOFA's Drone Diplomacy Task Force has visited Germany and the United States to participate in international exhibitions and industry exchange events, continuously increasing Taiwan's visibility in the global drone industry chain. In addition to technological cooperation, Vice President Hsiao will also visit Ngatpang State to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of the 16th phase of a road improvement project funded by Taiwan, witnessing the results of Taiwan-Palau infrastructure cooperation alongside President Whipps.

It is noted that the newly completed 16th phase of the project primarily improves roads between communities in Ngatpang State, paving the original stone and dirt roads with concrete. This significantly enhances traffic safety and convenience, further promoting local economic and tourism development.

Afterward, Vice President Hsiao will visit the Taiwan Technical Mission in Palau to inspect the results of agricultural and fishery cooperation. The technical cooperation agreement between Taiwan and Palau was signed and took effect in 1984, and the Palau Technical Mission was established in 1985, marking over 40 years of cooperation. The mission currently runs several cooperation projects, including increasing fruit and vegetable production, livestock production and marketing, aquaculture, coastal fishery resource management, and Mandarin language education, helping Palau to enhance food security, promote sustainable agricultural and fishery development, and cultivate local talent.

In addition to commending the long-term hard work of the technical staff stationed in the allied nation, the Vice President will also gain a firsthand understanding of how the various cooperation results are implemented in the local communities and affect the lives of the people, demonstrating the concrete effects of Taiwan's assistance in the sustainable development of its allies through professional technology. In the evening, Vice President Hsiao will attend a dinner with Palauan traditional leaders, continuing to deepen the friendship and cultural exchange between the two peoples.