Taiwan President Visits Pacific Allies as China Expands Influence

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is set to embark on a diplomatic tour of the South Pacific later this month, visiting three key island nations that are increasingly under China's sphere of influence.

The trip, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, will take him to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—countries that remain formal allies of Taiwan in a region where China has been aggressively pursuing both diplomatic and economic inroads.

The announcement, made by Taiwan's Foreign Ministry on Friday, comes amid growing concerns over China's expanding presence in the Pacific.

Beijing has been using a combination of loans, grants, and security agreements to secure closer ties with Pacific island nations, raising alarms in Washington, Canberra, and Wellington over China's intentions to assert military, political, and economic control in the region.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Oct. 10, 2024. He will visit the self-governing island’s allies in the South Pacific, where... Chiang Ying-ying/AP, file

Why is Taiwanese President Lai Visiting Three South Pacific Nations?

While Taiwan's government has not confirmed whether Lai will make a stopover in Hawaii—a common layover for high-level Taiwanese officials—the trip is seen as a significant step in maintaining Taiwan's diplomatic relationships in the region.

Taiwan currently has only 12 formal diplomatic allies—the number having steadily reduced in recent years due to Chinese pressure.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to annex the island by force if necessary.

In contrast, Taiwan has cultivated informal but robust ties with numerous countries, most notably the United States, which remains its primary source of diplomatic and military support.

Palau President Surangel Whipps, third from left, and then Taiwan's Vice President William Lai, center, attend a ceremony of the opening of the Palau-Taiwan Travel Corridor in Taipei, Taiwan, March 30, 2021. Taiwan's foreign ministry... Chiang Ying-ying/AP, file

Why Is China Exerting Influence on South Pacific Island Nations?

In recent years, Beijing has secured key diplomatic victories in the region, including a security pact with the Solomon Islands, which broke ties with Taiwan in 2019, and a diplomatic coup with Nauru, which shifted allegiance to Beijing shortly after Lai's election earlier this year.

In response, Taiwan has doubled down on its diplomatic outreach.

Despite the loss of formal allies, Taiwan has maintained strong informal relationships and continues to seek avenues for international participation, including through observer status at global forums.

Why Is the Taiwan Concerned About Chinese Influence?

The Taiwan government has also fought to protect its limited diplomatic space, including by refusing South Africa's demand last month to relocate its representative office from Pretoria.

As China pours billions of dollars into infrastructure projects for its South Pacific allies, Taiwan is working to reinforce its long-standing partnerships and prevent further diplomatic losses.

President Lai's trip highlights the delicate balance Taiwan must strike as it seeks to strengthen ties with its remaining allies, while navigating a complex geopolitical landscape dominated by China's growing ambitions.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press