TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (黃英賢) visited Tuvalu on Wednesday (May 8), one of Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies.

After arriving in Funafuti, Tuvalu’s capital, Wong was invited to attend a state banquet with local dignitaries, including newly elected Prime Minister Feleti Teo and Foreign Minister Paulson Panapa, per CNA. This visit marks the first time an Australian foreign minister has visited Tuvalu since the country's parliamentary elections in February.

In a speech, Wong said that Tuvalu is at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change. “Australia is proud to be a partner in Tuvalu’s Coastal Adaptation Project and has pledged to provide security to Tuvalu in times of humanitarian disasters, epidemics, or attacks,” the foreign minister said.

Wang mentioned several aid programs, including providing special visa pathways for Tuvaluans to study and work in Australia and investing AU$15 million (NT$320 million) to establish a National Security Coordination Center in Tuvalu.

Wong also mentioned Australia's involvement in assisting Tuvalu with its coastal adaptation and undersea cable project, and for the first time, mentioned Taiwan as a partner for these aid programs. She emphasized that Australia will work closely with partners such as the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, and New Zealand to support this important transformation and invest AU$50 million for the cable project.

Amid China’s engagement with Pacific island nations, Australia has increased its financial aid to Tuvalu by more than fourfold to strengthen the Falepili Union agreement signed in November, which covers climate, immigration, and security issues, reported CNA.