Palau to suspend flights from Macau and Hong Kong
January 27, 2020 - Given the rapidly increasing number of confirmed 2019 Novel coronavirus (nCoV) cases in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and in Macau, the National Emergency Committee on January 27th recommended to President Tommy E. Remegnesau, Jr. to prohibit chartered flights from the People’s Republic of China and temporarily suspend all direct chartered flights from Hong Kong and Macau until further notice. Vice President Raynold Oilouch and the National Eme
Palau VP: US eager to conclude Compact talks with Palau, FSM, RMI early
Koror- As part of the United States “ economic commitment to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” Palau’s Vice President Raynold Oilouch said that Washington is eager for an early start to the compact talks with each of the three Micronesia’s freely associated states (FAS). Oilouch said this announcement was made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his meetings with the leaders of Palau, FSM, and the Marshall Islands, in Pohnpei on August 5. “The big announce
Pacific Forum looks to unity in the face of China-Taiwan rivalry
Suva- China is an important economic partner in the Pacific and would be most welcome to contribute in the Pacific Island Forum countries, according to Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor. In the past decade Beijing has boosted its presence in the region and for Dame Meg, this should not be seen as a barrier against other Pacific allies. Six Pacific countries maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan – Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. Pa
Micronesian leaders to PIF: China and Taiwan are to be treated "equally"
Koror- Leaders of the Micronesian region “strongly encouraged” that Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and its Secretariat recognized equally the participation of China and Taiwan in regional meetings, amid the Chinese Communist Party’s alleged push to isolate the government of Taipei. “The presidents and heads of delegation strongly encouraged that the PIF and the Secretariat establish a more respectful and fair policy regarding the conduct of PIF activities relating to the part
Chinese freediver missing in Palau
Koror- A Chinese free diver on a holiday in Palau has been reported missing since Monday after he failed to surface from a spearfishing trip in the outer reef area of western Babeldaob. A search and rescue incident report by the Division of Marine Law and Enforcement identified the missing foreigner as 34- year old Chen Chao. He was reported to be free diving with another tourist outside the reef of Ngatpang and Ngaremlengui states. Chao is an award-winning free diver in Asi
Palau urges Taiwan to boost business ties, tourism
Koror- Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. urged the Taiwan government to boost business ties and tourism with his country to further strengthen the two nations’ “friendship.” This was among Remengesau’s key messages during the state banquet last night hosted by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.welcomes Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. . Photo by Presidential Office of R.O.C Taiwan “In the area of economic development, there are hotels in P
Remengesau to reaffirm Palau-Taiwan friendship with state visit
Koror- Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. will meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as well as senior Taiwan officials, in his first official visit since Tsai was elected. The state visit is seen as a reinforcement of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, amid an increased assertiveness from China over its influence in the Pacific. Remengesau will visit Taiwan from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14, Press Secretary Olkeriil Kazuo said in a statement to the local media. “It is Presi
Palau-Taiwan alliance important in regional stability: US official
Koror -- A senior United States official said on Friday that Palau’s relationship with Taiwan is valuable in keeping stability in the region. China’s growing influence in the Pacific has been a cause of concern with both Beijing and Taipei vying for diplomatic influence in the region for years through the offer of aids and support to island nations. “It must be said that the effort of China to change that status quo is not helping that relationship across the straits and it i
Political convenience and other traits of Palau leadership
Koror- – On Oct. 28, 2015, Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. signed into law the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act, an ambitious ocean conservation initiative aimed at protecting Palau’s own marine resources as well as the world’s tuna stocks. This landmark legislation creates a no-take marine sanctuary covering 80 percent of Palau’s exclusive economic zone, where no fishing will occur. The law also creates a domestic fishing zone covering approximately 20 percent o
China intruding into Marianas Trench
In yet another show of expansionism likely to add uncertainties over regional security issues, China is eyeing deep-sea exploration in the Marianas Trench with plans to develop two deepsea manned submersibles able to reach a depth of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) by 2020. According to an article published in the January issue of the Maritime Executive magazine, China's deepsea manned submersible Jiaolong , which set a record by diving to a depth of 7,062 meters during tests in t
