Angie Teo, Ann Wang, and David Branstrom
(Reuters) – Taiwan President Lai Ching-te began a U.S. stop in Hawaii on Saturday as part of a Pacific tour after declaring his democratically-ruled island a key force in promoting global peace and stability.
China, which views Taiwan as its own territory and opposes any foreign engagement or visits by the island’s leaders, has been increasing military pressure on Taiwan, including two rounds of war games this year.
China considers Lai a dangerous separatist and on Friday urged Washington to exercise “utmost caution” in relations with Taiwan.
Security sources told Reuters that Beijing may hold additional military exercises to coincide with Lai’s Pacific tour, which includes stops in Hawaii and Guam, a US territory. This is Lai’s first foreign trip since taking office in May.
He is stopping in Hawaii for the first two nights before heading to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei and a part of the world where China exerts more influence.
Speaking to reporters before the flight, Lai said: “Thank you to the US government for adhering to the principles of safety, dignity, comfort and convenience for helping the smooth process of this trip.”
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said he was met at Honolulu airport by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and Ingrid Larson, head of the Washington office of the American Institute in Taiwan, which serves as the unofficial US embassy in Taiwan.
The news agency said the greeting went beyond previous visits, with the mayor of Honolulu and the city’s police chief also greeting Lai as he stepped off the plane.
“President Lai’s transit was the first time he was received at the airport, laid a red carpet and presented with flowers, which was the highest level of courtesy, different from the previous way of entering the terminal; and the admission rate is also above the previous norms,” CNA said.
When asked about it, a spokesman for the US State Department said: “The transit is private and unofficial and entirely within the bounds of precedent.”
“THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA”
Taiwanese presidents often use what is officially just a stopover in the United States to meet with friendly American politicians and give speeches. Such stopovers usually occur during visits to distant allies in the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean.
“This trip marks the beginning of a new era of value-based diplomacy,” Lai said. “Democracy, prosperity and peace are the expectations of the people of Taiwan, and they are also values that I, as president, must actively promote.”
He said he will continue to expand cooperation and deepen our partnership with our allies and friends, based on the values of democracy, peace and prosperity, so that the world can see that Taiwan is not only a model of democracy, but also a key force in promoting global peace. , stability and prosperity”.
Hawaii and Guam are home to major US military bases.
Hours before Lai’s departure, the United States announced a new package of arms sales to Taiwan, parts for F-16s and radars worth about $385 million.
While it has only unofficial relations with Taiwan and adheres to the “one China” policy, under which it diplomatically recognizes Beijing, the US government is required by law to provide the island with means of defense.
The State Department said it saw no justification for what it called Lai’s private, routine and unofficial transit to be used by China as a pretext for provocation.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s claims to sovereignty and says it has the right to interact with the world and the right of its leaders to travel abroad.
