Taiwan President Lai Visits US Territories

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te will make stopovers in Hawaii and Guam during his first overseas trip, which includes visits to three Pacific island nations: the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau. The trip, scheduled from November 30 to December 6, has provoked strong reactions from China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any international recognition or interactions involving Taiwanese leaders. Chinese officials have vowed to counter any perceived attempts at independence and expressed opposition to Lai's interactions with the United States. Taiwan's government has prepared for potential military drills from China during Lai's trip, reflecting a history of Beijing responding to such visits with increased military activity. Taiwanese officials emphasized the importance of US-Taiwan relations and have reiterated their commitment to maintaining safety and dignity during the visit. Lai's stopovers are seen as a continuation of established protocols and friendly relations between Taiwan and the US.