Palau says China exerting 'new level' of pressure

TOKYO -- Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. told Nikkei Asia on Tuesday that pressure from China is reaching a "new level" after a tourism delegation was recently denied entry to Macao and as the Pacific island nation investigates a suspicious cyber attack this month targeting customs and border functions.

Palau is among the few remaining countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and is one of three states in free association with the United States, which provides a security guarantee and economic assistance -- and gets access for its military in return.