Tuvalu's foreign minister is in Taiwan this week for talks that deepen one of Taipei's few remaining formal alliances — good news for Taiwan's diplomatic standing in the Pacific.

• Tuvalu's foreign, labour and trade minister Paulson Panapa is leading a delegation to Taiwan from September 13 to 17, his first official trip in that role.
• Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung hosted the delegation and described the two countries as supporting each other like family.
• The two sides recently signed deals on labour cooperation, avoiding double taxation, and unmanned vehicles.
• Tuvalu wants help coping with rising seas and extreme weather, and Taiwan is offering farming and fishing know-how, including milkfish farming, to shore up the island's food supply.

Outlook: Expect new joint programs on climate resilience and local food production as Taiwan works to keep its small circle of allies close.