Taiwan president sparks China’s ire by planning trip to US

Taiwanese leader sparks outrage in Beijing by announcing visit to the US, intensifying tension over the island’s independence

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te began a week-long trip on Saturday to visit his country’s partners, including stops in US territory, which generated great anger from Beijing.

The trip, Lai’s first abroad since taking office, provoked fierce threats from China, which views the autonomous democratic island of Taiwan as its territory and opposes any international recognition of its sovereignty.

“New era of values-based democracy”

Lai’s trip includes stops in Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam, as well as visits to partners in the South Pacific, including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau.

The US is Taiwan’s biggest supporter and the main benefactor of the island’s defense capabilities under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, although Washington has no official diplomatic relations with Taipei.

Lai’s trip comes after US approval for the sale of spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar systems to Taiwan, as well as communications equipment. In total, the agreements are valued at US$385 million (around €364 million).

Upon departing, Lai said, “I would like to thank the U.S. government for adhering to the principles of safety, dignity, comfort and convenience to facilitate the success of this trip” and stated that the trip “ushers in a new era of values-based democracy.”

He said he wanted to “continue to expand cooperation and deepen partnerships with our allies based on the values ​​of democracy, peace and prosperity.”

The Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau are the only Pacific island nations among the 12 remaining allies that recognize Taiwan, with China persuading other countries to withdraw their support for Taipei by promising aid and investment.

Chinese condemnation

China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that it is against official interactions between the US and Taiwan, including any visits by Taiwanese leaders to US territory.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning described Lai’s planned stopover in the US territory of Guam as “separatist actions.”

“We have consistently opposed official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan… and any form of the United States supporting and endorsing Taiwan independence separatists and their separatist actions,” she said on Thursday.

Lai has in the past been labeled a “separatist” by China, which has vowed to “resolutely suppress” any attempt to gain independence.

Beijing regularly holds military exercises near the island, which is widely seen as an attempt at intimidation.

With information from AFP and dpa *