An academic says Taiwan's supporters in the Pacific region can expect significant new aid announcements during a visit later this month by the Taiwanese president Tsai Ing Wen.
Auckland University Professor Stephen Hoadley Photo: Auckland University
Listen to interview with Stephen Hoadley on Dateline Pacific
The president will travel to three of Taiwan's six allies in the region, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands.
Other countries recognise China instead of Taiwan in line with China's "One China" policy.
A professor of international relations at Auckland University Stephen Hoadley said President Tsai is trying to shore up relations with the Pacific bloc to prevent her country from becoming diplomatically isolated.
"This would certainly sweeten the feeling in the Pacific islands," Mr Hoadley said.
"It would show that Taiwan is a wealthy country that does have resources, it can help the small impoverished Pacific island states in significant ways, in health, education as one, tropical agriculture as a second."
Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-wen Photo: AFP