Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-wen, says her country is an integral part of the Pacific.
Her comments last week followed a trip to four Pacific Island countries to shore up their support for Taiwan.
Addressing the US thinktank, the Heritage Foundation, from Hawaii, Ms Tsai said Taiwan shared many cultural links with the Pacific.
"The Pacific has much to offer Taiwan. But Taiwan also has much to offer the Pacific. Taiwan is a force for good in the region."
Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan was determined to improve livelihoods across the Pacific.
Six Pacific nations, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati are all backers of Taiwan.