Taiwan’s president set off on Saturday for a South Pacific tour that includes a two-day visit to the U.S., his first since taking office. However, details about his itinerary remain limited.
The planned stops in Hawaii and Guam have already sparked strong objections from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes official interactions between Taiwan and the U.S., the island’s primary supporter and military ally, reports AP.
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President Lai Ching-te will embark on a week-long journey to meet leaders from the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—three of Taiwan’s diplomatic partners in the Pacific, it said.
“Through the values of democracy, peace, and prosperity, I aim to expand our cooperation with allies, deepen partnerships, and show the world that Taiwan is not only a model of democracy but a vital force promoting global peace, stability, and development,” Lai stated at Taoyuan International Airport before his departure.
Taiwan maintains strong informal ties with many nations, but only 12 have official diplomatic relationships with the self-governed island. Recent times have seen increased pressure from China on Taiwan’s status, added the report.
It remains uncertain whether Lai will meet any officials from the incoming U.S. administration during his visit.
President-elect Donald Trump, in a July interview with Bloomberg, stated that Taiwan should contribute to its own defence, despite the island purchasing billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. military equipment. Trump also avoided directly answering whether he would defend Taiwan against Chinese military action.
Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. is obligated to assist Taiwan in self-defence. However, it has kept its policy of strategic ambiguity about intervening if China were to invade Taiwan, the report also said.
A second Trump administration is anticipated to strain U.S.-China relations even more than the first term, which included tariffs on over $360 billion of Chinese goods. Taiwan remains a significant flashpoint between the two nations.
On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the U.S. to handle Taiwan-related matters with “utmost caution” and reiterated Beijing’s opposition to Taiwan’s independence, advocating for China’s peaceful reunification. Mao also emphasised China’s firm opposition to any U.S.-Taiwan official interactions, including visits by Taiwanese leaders to the U.S, said the report.
Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen faced strong criticism from China when she stopped in the U.S. last year en route to Latin America, where she met then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The Chinese military also conducted drills around Taiwan last year, described as a “stern warning” against what it termed “separatists and foreign forces,” shortly after Lai, then vice president, transited through the U.S.
China strongly opposes visits by prominent American figures to Taiwan, viewing any official engagement as a challenge to its sovereignty claims over the island.