TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tuvalu Parliament Speaker Iakoba Italeli arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday to attend the 53rd annual Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union meeting and hold talks with senior government officials.

During his nine-day visit, Italeli will meet President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), and attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is Italeli’s second visit to Taiwan since taking office.

MOFA said Taiwan and Tuvalu share the universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The two countries cooperate in healthcare, talent cultivation, agriculture and fisheries, and clean energy, it added.

Looking ahead, MOFA said Taiwan and Tuvalu will continue working together to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Founded in 1965, the APPU brings together lawmakers committed to upholding freedom and democracy in the region.

Italeli’s visit follows the Solomon Islands’ decision to exclude Taiwan and 24 other nations from participating in this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, a move Taiwan has accused China of orchestrating.