The United States and Taiwan governments have accused China of trying to use a travel advisory notice to undermine Palau on the eve of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) leaders summit in Koror.
A travel warning posted on China’s Consular Service website on 19 August called on Chinese citizens “to exercise caution when traveling to Palau”. It cited “a number of theft and robbery cases targeting tourists, resulting in significant losses for the victims”.
“We call on Beijing to cease all its coercive activities against Palau,” the US statement read.
“The US Travel Advisory for Palau remains at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, reflecting our continued assessment of Palau as a generally safe destination for US travellers.”
Palau president’s office shared the US Embassy statement, but stopped short of denying China’s claims.
“Palau remains a safe, peaceful, and welcoming destination for visitors from around the world,” it said instead.
The Taiwanese embassy in Palau echoed US sentiments, calling the advisory an “attempt to politicise and weaponise tourism.”
“Such actions only further demonstrate Beijing’s use of economic coercion to expand its political influence and will only generate greater concern and resentment within the international community,” it said.
Both China and Taiwan are at PIF Leaders Meeting as dialogue and development partner states.
Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu are the only PIF member states that recognise Taiwan.
