Arriving in the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro, Lai referred to Taiwan’s indigenous inhabitants as sharing a culture with the Pacific Islands’ first settlers. “Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share a traditional Austronesia culture as well as the values of freedom and democracy,” he said in livestreamed remarks as he met President Hilda Heine. Later addressing Parliament, Lai offered financial support for the national airline to upgrade its aging fleet. “Taiwan will be happy to provide preferential loans to the Marshall Islands to purchase new aircraft for Air Marshall Islands to improve local air services,” he said. From the Marshall Islands he goes to Tuvalu for a brief trip, then a one-night stopover in the U.S. territory of Guam before going to Palau.

---

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, ”, livestreamed, Hilda Heine, “, Han, Heine Organizations: Taiwan, Marshall, airline, Air Marshall Locations: Taiwan, Marshall, China, Majuro, “ Taiwan, United States, Hawaii, Tuvalu, U.S, Guam, Palau, Taipei