 | |
 China |  Palau |
|---|---|
China–Palau relations refers to thebilateral relations between thePeople's Republic of China and theRepublic of Palau. Palau recognizes theRepublic of China, and is one of the few countries to maintain an embassy inTaipei. The Chinese Embassy in the Federated States of Micronesia is responsible for Palau-related affairs.
Before Palau established diplomatic relations with theRepublic of China in 1999, it maintained friendly relations with thePeople's Republic of China. On January 26, 1989, Ma Yuzhen, the Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles, attended the inauguration ceremony of the new PresidentNgiratkel Etpison in Koror at the invitation of the Palau government.[1][unreliable source?]
In March 1991, Palau President Nkilatkere Etpiseng visited China for a week at the invitation of theChinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. He visited Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. He was accompanied by Palau House of Representatives Speaker Ciro Kiyuta and Senate party leader Peter Sugiama.[2][3] During the visit, Chinese PresidentYang Shangkun and Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs President Han Nianlong met with the Palau President.[4][5]
In March 1994, a Palauan congressional delegation visited China.[6]Qiao Shi,Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, andLi Lanqing,Vice Premier of the State Council, met with the congressional delegation.[7][8] On September 30,Jiang Zemin,General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party andPresident of China, announced the Chinese government's decision to recognize the Palauan government.[9]
Palau established diplomatic relations withTaiwan in 1999.[10] In 2010, a Chinese petroleum company signed a US$40 million cooperation agreement with Palau to explore oil reserve around the islands country.[11]
Journalists have reported on PRCunited front influence operations linked toChinese organized crime in Palau.[12] Resort investments in Palau have been proposed by thePrince Group, a Chinese-Cambodian conglomerate founded by Chinese businessmanChen Zhi, which has been previously linked tomoney laundering,online scams, andhuman trafficking.[13][14][15] In 2019, multiple media outlets reported thatWan Kuok-koi, a leader of14K, attempted to lease land onAngaur with the goal of opening a casino.[16]
In February 2015, the President of Palau ordered a reduction in flights from China to Palau starting in April. He said that the purpose of doing so was to take responsibility for the future of Palau and to ease the huge pressure from Chinese tourists.[17]
In June 2020, Palau openly opposed theHong Kong national security law.[18]
In June 2023, the President of Palau stated that Chinese ships had recently entered Palau's exclusive economic zone several times and that he had asked the US military to increase patrols in the waters.[19]
In 2025,Reuters andThe Washington Post reported that an official with theUnited Front Work Department (UFWD) had made illegal political contributions to Palau politicians.[16][20] They also reported that Chinese developers with links to the UFWD have leased land adjacent to U.S. military installations on Palau, which effectively blocks their expansion and provides a means for surveillance.[16][20]
| Americas | |
|---|---|
| Asia | |
| Europe | |
| Oceania | |
| Diplomatic missions | |
| Related topics | |
