Taiwan is using the Pacific Islands Forum to tighten its grip on one of its few remaining diplomatic allies, a modest win for Taipei as China keeps peeling away its partners.

• Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung arrived in Palau and was received by Vice President and health minister Raynold Oilouch.
• The first stop was Palau's national hospital, where Taiwan has run a long-standing medical partnership.
• Taiwan wants to help build Palau's planned new national hospital, supplying digital health systems and training local medical staff.
• Lin brought Taiwanese business leaders along, hoping to turn diplomacy into real investment on the islands.
• A dinner with President Surangel Whipps Jr., government officials and traditional leaders capped the first day.

Outlook: Expect Taipei to keep pairing aid with business deals in the Pacific as it fights to hold the handful of allies it has left.