A spokesman for Taiwan's embassy in Kiribati says the response of local people to his president's visit shows the positive influence it is having.
President Ma Ying-jeou is currently touring the six Pacific countries Taiwan has diplomatic ties with, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Solomon Islands.
The counsellor for Taiwan's embassy in Kiribati, Wallace Chow says Taiwan has promised to help call on the international community to fight climate change, and is helping Kiribati to plant mangroves, and build sea walls and other infrastructure to prevent coastal erosion.
He says there's been a warm response to President Ma's visit
"Just by looking at those people who come out of their house to welcome the visit of my president, I have the feeling that people love Taiwan. And I think its proof that Taiwan has done a good job in Kiribati."
Wallace Chow says China's claim to sovereignty over Taiwan means that it needs diplomatic allies, but he says Taiwan also funds projects because it to help its friends.
