Taiwan’s President Lai arrives in Hawaii; China condemns stopover, lodges protest with US
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s brief stop in Hawaii on his way to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau – three of Taiwan’s remaining handful of diplomatic allies, may have appeared downgraded as no formal US reception for instance, but its implications extend far beyond floral wreaths and banquets.
Taiwan’s presidential office says Lai was welcomed by the governor of Hawaii and other officials on Saturday, local time. He visited a museum and saw exhibits related to Taiwan.
Before departing Taiwan, Lai emphasized shared democratic values in global partnerships. “I want to use the values of democracy, peace, and prosperity to expand our cooperation with allies and show the world that Taiwan is not just a model of democracy but a vital force for peace and stability,” he said.
This is Lai’s first overseas trip since taking office. He was apparently using the visit to underscore Taiwan’s diplomatic resilience amid intensifying pressure from Beijing.
Though billed as an unofficial transit, the trip drew scrutiny, particularly from China, which condemned Lai’s visit and is expected to respond with military drills near Taiwan. This was more than a layover; it reaffirmed Taiwan’s partnerships with the US and other democracies alliances Beijing is eager to undermine.
China’s reaction to Lai’s visit was predictably fierce. A spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office called it “a provocative act” and insisted that efforts to seek Taiwan independence “are doomed to fail.”
On Sunday, Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “firmly opposes any form of US connivance or support for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and their separatist activities.”
“China strongly condemns the US’s arranging for Lai Ching-te’s ‘stopover’ and has lodged serious protests with the US,” it said in a statement.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement on Sunday. It says the ministry has “lodged serious protests” with the United States.
It also says, “China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region.”
The statement hints at countermeasures, saying, “China will closely follow the developments and take resolute and strong measures” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Reuters news agency quotes Taiwanese authorities as saying China is likely to launch military drills in the coming days near Taiwan. Taiwan is stepping up vigilance on its waters.
Taiwanese security agencies anticipate that Beijing – which claims the self-governing island as its own territory – will use Lai’s trip as a pretext for military drills near Taiwan, potentially under the codename “Joint Sword-2024C.” Such exercises, often accompanied by propaganda campaigns, are a familiar tactic.
Beijing has staged similar displays of force following high-profile interactions between Taiwan and the US, including former President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to California last year.