Palau has named Wang Shun-mu as its honorary consul in Taipei, a small but positive step for Taiwan's ties with one of its few remaining diplomatic allies.

• Palau's new ambassador to Taiwan, Gaafar Uherbelau, handed over the honorary consul certificate just days after presenting his credentials.
• Wang has long worked on Taiwan–Palau exchanges, especially organizing Taiwanese medical teams and volunteers to serve in Palau.
• His job is to act as a bridge, helping more Taiwanese civic groups set up long-term projects in Palau.
• Cooperation between the two countries has grown beyond government ties into public health, youth exchanges, research, and sustainability.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan and Palau to keep deepening people-to-people and medical cooperation as Taipei works to hold on to its shrinking circle of formal allies.