HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP: Shin Kong Hospital has sent more than 450 medical professionals to Palau, providing more than 15,000 instances of medical care
By Lin Chih-yi and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Palau stands with Taiwan despite severe pressure from Beijing, including Chinese infiltration and the “united front” tactics used to influence the Pacific island nation’s presidential election, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr has for years shown strong support for Taiwan, even amid Chinese pressure, Lai said at the opening ceremony for a new Shin Kong Wu Ho-su Memorial Hospital building in Taipei on the hospital’s 40th anniversary.
Whipps also attended the event.
President William Lai, center left, is joined by Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr, second right, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association’s Taipei Office Chief Representative Kazuyuki Katayama, right, Shinkong Wu Ho-su Memorial Hospital chairman Eugene Wu, center right, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang, second left, and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi at the opening ceremony of the hospital’s new building in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kun, Taipei Times
Taiwan has earned international recognition for its commitment to democracy and freedom, its achievements in advanced technologies and its public healthcare services, Lai said.
While the international community needs Taiwan’s participation, Beijing’s efforts to suppress Taiwan remain pervasive, preventing the nation from formally joining many international organizations, he said.
Amid these challenges, Whipps has consistently provided Taiwan with unwavering support, but such backing “has not come without a price,” Lai said.
China in the past few years has exerted severe pressure on Palau and tried to interfere in the country’s presidential election when Whipps was seeking re-election, he said.
Whipps remained steadfast in voicing his support for Taiwan at international forums, including at the UN and the Pacific Islands Forum, he said.
In an interview with US news outlet Politico published on Thursday, Whipps said Beijing had threatened Palau with “consequences” for promoting Taiwanese independence.
The hospital’s contributions toward helping Palau develop healthcare services played a part in the Pacific Island’s support for Taiwan, Lai said.
Since 2007, the hospital has stationed nurses in Palau and implemented emergency and critical care referral support programs cases, he said.
The hospital is supporting Palau’s plans for a new national hospital, demonstrating Shin Kong’s commitment to protecting the health of Taiwanese while supporting the healthcare advancement of the nation’s allies, he said.
“When you reach out your hand, another will always be there to grasp it,” Whipps said.
The hospital has contributed greatly to healthcare in Palau, dispatching more than 450 medical professionals to the country and providing more than 15,000 instances of medical care and services to local residents, he said.
Through clinical knowledge transfer and technical exchanges, the cooperation has significantly improved Palau’s medical standards, he said.
“Behind every number is a family that regained hope,” he said.
The hospital’s partnership facilitated more than 6,500 treatment referrals, Shin Kong Hospital president Hou Sheng-mou (侯勝茂) said.
Palau is one of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies and one of three in the Pacific.
In the Politico interview, Whipps said that Beijing had attempted to bring Palau into its orbit and pushed the government to “sever ties with Taiwan.”
A Chinese ambassador told him that China could give Palau “a million tourists and build all the hotels” he wanted and threatened to retaliate if he did not comply, Whipps said.
However, Palau’s sovereignty should not be threatened because of its recognition of Taiwan, he told Politico.
“If Taiwan can be taken over, then Palau can be taken over and the Philippines can be taken over,” he said, adding that mutual defense is important.