Palau asks US and Japan for help after China imposes ‘tourist ban’ over tiny island’s ties with Taiwan

Palau’s president has asked the US and Japan to help its tourism industry after Beijing reportedly barred Chinese citizens from visiting the tiny Pacific island due to its diplomatic links with Taiwan.

President Tommy Remengesau said Palau had not received official confirmation of a ban but there had been a fall in visitors from China, one of his country’s largest tourism markets, with one airline forced to suspend operations due to the plunge in demand.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, even though the island views itself as a sovereign nation and is a self-ruling democracy.

Remengesau said Taiwan had already promised to help by increasing flights to Palau and that he had also asked Washington and Tokyo for assistance.

“I approached Japan, I said ‘please build one or two high-end hotel-resorts in Palau’,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“I have approached Taiwan, I have approached the United States … Just one investment can go a long way to help maintain the economic progress of a small nation such as Palau.”