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China has condemned Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Hawaii, criticizing the United States for supporting the trip and escalating tensions over Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Something you should know before you read: Last week, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced the start of a significant Pacific island tour, beginning with a visit to Hawaii to reinforce diplomatic ties and shared values. This visit is the first leg of a broader tour that will take him to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—key Pacific allies among the 12 nations maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
More on the visit: During his visit to Hawaii, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te met with Governor Josh Green, where they discussed disaster preparedness and their economies. Lai also attended a banquet with Hawaii congressional representatives, with Congressman Ed Case in attendance. He also visited the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii, a think tank promoting US-Asia-Pacific relations, and paid tribute at the USS Arizona Memorial.
China’s pissed: In response to Lai’s visit, China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the trip, stating it “firmly opposes any official exchanges between the US and Taiwan.” The ministry added that it had “lodged serious protests with the US” over its support for the visit and reiterated its stance that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. Criticizing the US for “arranging” the stopover, the ministry warned that China would “closely monitor the situation’s development, and take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Beijing also labeled Lai as a “separatist,” accusing him of undermining cross-strait relations and conspiring with foreign forces. Chinese officials also condemned the US for violating the “One-China” policy.
More on the “One-China” policy: The One-China policy is the diplomatic acknowledgment by which countries recognize that there is only one China and that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legitimate government of China, including its claim over Taiwan. However, the United States adopts a nuanced approach; while it formally recognizes the PRC under the One-China policy established in 1979, it maintains informal relations with Taiwan and supports its right to self-defense. This stance is codified in the Taiwan Relations Act, which commits the US to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself without explicitly stating whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a conflict. The US has consistently said it opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo, whether by Taiwan declaring independence or China forcibly annexing the island.
