Taipei, Nov. 28, (dpa/GNA) – Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is set to make stopovers in the US state of Hawaii and Guam, a US territory, during his first overseas trip to the allies of the self-governing democracy, the state-run Central News Agency reported on Thursday.
According to CNA, during Lai’s visit to Taiwan’s South Pacific allies — including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau — from Saturday to December 6, he will arrive in Hawaii on Saturday for a two-night stay and in Guam on December 4 for a one-night stopover.
According to a source in Lai’s office who declined to be named, the transit is handled based on the longstanding friendly interactions between Taiwan and the United States, following established protocols and adhering to the principles of safety, dignity, convenience and comfort.
“We extend our gratitude to the US for its assistance in various aspects during this visit,” the source said in a text message to dpa.
The details of Lai’s daily itinerary during the trip are still being finalized and will be released later at an appropriate time, the source said.
In Beijing on Thursday, China expressed its opposition to the trip. “Lai Ching-te’s administration’s attempts to engage in political manipulation and provocations for independence by visiting so-called diplomatic allies will not succeed,” Chinese Foreign Office spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
“We consistently oppose official interactions between the United States and Taiwan, reject visits by Taiwan’s leaders to the US under any pretext or for any reason,” Mao said.
On Thursday morning, Taiwanese lawmakers raised concerns about the possibility of China conducting military drills during Lai’s overseas trip.
In response, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung told lawmakers that the National Security Council and relevant agencies have conducted situational analyses and are well-prepared to respond.
Lin said that during previous presidential visits, China has often engaged in minor provocations, and it cannot be ruled out that this time Beijing might conduct military exercises.
Lin stressed that presidential visits have long been standard practice and called on Beijing to “refrain from excessive actions, such as military drills, that could disrupt peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the democratic island part of its territory.
GNA