Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te Began Two-Day U.S. Stopover in Hawaii
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrived in Hawaii on Saturday as part of a two-day stopover in the United States, declaring his democratically governed island a key force for promoting global peace and stability. Lai’s visit comes amid increasing tensions with China, which views Taiwan as its own territory and has been stepping up military pressure against the island.
China has been urging Washington to exercise “utmost caution” in its relations with Taiwan, and security sources have told Reuters that Beijing may hold more military exercises to coincide with Lai’s Pacific tour. The tour will also include a stopover in Guam, a U.S. territory, and visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau.
Speaking to reporters before his departure, Lai said: “Thank you to the U.S. government for upholding the principles of safety, dignity, comfort and convenience for helping the smooth process of this trip.” He will be received at the airport by Hawaii Governor Josh Green and other officials, and will visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said the welcome exceeded those of past visits, with a red carpet rolled out and flowers presented, the highest level of courtesy ever. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said: “The transit is private and unofficial and squarely within precedent.”
Lai’s trip is seen as a significant gesture of solidarity with the United States, and he will use the opportunity to meet friendly U.S. politicians and give speeches. Taiwan presidents often make use of stopovers in the United States to meet with friendly politicians and give speeches, and Lai has described this trip as the “beginning of a new era of value-based diplomacy.”
The trip comes amid growing tensions between Taiwan and China, with Beijing urging Washington to exercise “utmost caution” in its relations with Taiwan. The United States has announced a new arms sale package for Taiwan, worth an estimated $385 million, which includes spare parts for F-16 jets and radars.