Taiwan is deepening ties with Palau through health care and business deals, a small but useful win for Taipei as it works to hold on to its few remaining diplomatic allies.

• Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung began a week-long stay in Palau tied to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting.
• Taiwan wants to help build Palau's planned new national hospital, offering digital health systems and staff training.
• Lin brought Taiwanese business people along to scout investment openings on the islands.
• Palau is one of the handful of countries that still recognizes Taiwan, making the Pacific a key front in its rivalry with Beijing.

Outlook: Expect more Taiwanese money and medical support to flow into Palau as both sides use the forum to show their partnership is holding.