The government of the Marshall Islands is pulling out all the stops to ensure the capital Majuro is ready for a summit between Taiwan and its six Pacific diplomatic allies next month, officials said.
The summit will be the second between Taipei and its allies in the region and will be held against a backdrop of continuing rivalry between Taiwan and China for recognition in the Pacific.
The six island nations represent a quarter of the countries around the world that confer diplomatic recognition on Taiwan and have helped the nation in its campaign to win a UN seat and representation in other international organizations.
China and Taiwan held inaugural summits with their Pacific allies last year, promising millions of dollars in aid in exchange for their loyalty. Both have been accused of checkbook diplomacy in their bids for recognition in the region.
A US$5 million Taiwan-funded convention center is about to be completed in Majuro for the summit between President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and the leaders of allies the Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru and the Solomon Islands from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14.
The summit will give a welcome financial boost to Majuro hotels, which are fully booked for the summit.
This year the meeting is not expected to bring announcements of big-money projects, officials in Majuro said over the weekend.
Taiwan already has significant aid programs with each of its six allies.
In Taipei, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said global warming -- which threatens the existence of some low-lying atoll nations in the Pacific -- will be on the agenda, as well as Taiwan's economic aid.
Taiwan's annual aid program is estimated at more than US$14 million.
Last year's first Taiwan summit in Palau promoted increased medical cooperation with the six island allies.
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