Taiwan's foreign minister Lin Chia-lung is at the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau, pitching Taiwan as a steady partner in a region China is also courting.

• Lin led a delegation to Palau as a "development partner" at the 55th forum summit, which opened with traditional dance and a unity theme.
• Palau's president Surangel Whipps Jr. called for Pacific nations to find common ground despite different histories and needs.
• Lin met the leaders of Tuvalu and Guam, and framed Taiwan as part of the Pacific with a shared stake in security and prosperity.
• Taiwan is leaning on years of aid work in health, farming, education, energy, and industry to keep its remaining Pacific allies close.
• The pitch matters because Beijing has been peeling away Taiwan's diplomatic partners in the region.

Outlook: Taiwan will keep spending on Pacific development ties as competition with China over the region's small states tightens.