Surangel Whipps Jr.
KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — China has accused Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. of deliberately misrepresenting its recent travel advisory as an attempt to weaponize tourism in retaliation for Palau’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The accusation was reported by China’s People Daily Online, which stated that the advisory was issued in response to “security-related” incidents involving Chinese nationals in Palau in recent years.
Notable incidents include the daylight kidnapping of a Chinese man, the disappearance of a Chinese woman, and the discovery of a young Chinese man’s burned remains in a wooded area between Melekeok and Ngchesar.
The China Daily Online article described the advisory as “a natural response to an increase in public security-related cases in Palau,” including disputes and incidents affecting the safety of Chinese tourists. It emphasized that issuing travel safety advisories is a common international practice aimed at raising citizens’ risk awareness when traveling abroad.
In a recent interview with Te Ao Maori News, President Whipps claimed that China has been pressuring Palau due to its relationship with Taiwan.
He pointed to China’s actions, such as blocking Palau from participating in the Pacific Asia Travel Association meeting in Macau and labeling Palau as an unsafe travel destination, as evidence of China’s efforts to weaponize tourism.
The China Daily article responded to Whipps’s comments, calling them “malicious accusations” intended to smear and discredit China.
Whipps has consistently stated in both local and international media that China is using various tactics, including tourism, to push Palau to sever ties with Taiwan.
