Jessica Lee (left), ROC (Taiwan) ambassador to Palau, is joined by the Western Pacific ally’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. during the medical supply handover ceremony Jan. 22 in Palau. (MOFA)

A total of 10,000 rapid antigen tests, 62,500 adult masks and 10,000 children's masks among other medical supplies were donated by Taiwan to Palau Jan. 22, underscoring the government’s commitment to helping the Western Pacific country combat COVID-19, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, the MOFA said the donation was coordinated by the ministry in conjunction with Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital in Taipei City, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital in central Taiwan’s Changhua County and New Taipei City-headquartered equipment producer TaiDoc Technology Corp.

Presided over by Jessica Lee, ROC (Taiwan) ambassador to Palau, and the ally’s President Surangel Whipps Jr., the handover involved Gaafar J. Uherbelau and Gustav Aitaro, Palau’s minister of health and human services and minister of state, as well as a medical team from Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital.

In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Amb. Lee & @Surangeljr know it takes #AllHandsOnDeck to combat #COVID19. This is why #Taiwan & #Palau are partnering to strengthen the local response to the pandemic. #TaiwanCanHelp masks, rapid screening reagents, essential items & medical teams will make all the difference!”

Taiwan and Palau celebrated 20 years of diplomatic relations in 2019. They share a rich Austronesian heritage and are working together to advance peace, stability and sustainable development across the Indo-Pacific. (DL-E)