The Marshall Islands and Taiwan have signed a deal to promote Austronesian languages and culture.
A group of Austronesian children in Taiwan. Photo: AFP
Taiwan News reported the agreement was inked on Friday in Taipei between representatives of Taiwan's Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Marshallese government.
The agreement involves exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and its Pacific ally in fields such as languages, culture, traditional wisdom and skills, economy and sports.
It's the first such agreement signed with a Pacific partner, the paper reported.
The Marshall Islands Minister of Culture and Internal Affairs Amenta Matthew said exchanges with Taiwan had been close and unique, thanks to the shared principles of democracy and freedom, as well as a shared Austronesian heritage.
She also pledged to work closely with the council to promote the preservation of the Austronesian culture, and people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands, Taiwan News reported.