China fumes as Taiwan’s Lai to transit US territories on 1st overseas trip

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Friday reiterated its warning to Washington as Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te prepares to stop over in the US territories of Hawaii and Guam as he begins his trip to the South Pacific region on Saturday.

Emphasizing China’s stance against Lai transiting through the US "under any name or pretext," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned Washington for "condoning or supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their activities in any form," state media reported.

Beijing’s statement comes as Lai is set to begin his first overseas trip since being inaugurated in May early this year.

Beginning Saturday, Lai will visit the island nation’s three Pacific allies, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, from where he will return to the capital Taipei.

Taipei expects Beijing will launch military drills and has urged China against an “overreaction” to Lai’s trip.

Lai’s office has confirmed he will stop over in Hawaii and the US territory of Guam during his seven-day trip, according to Focus Taiwan news.

The Taiwanese leader is expected to spend two nights in Hawaii before traveling to the Marshall Islands.

Before his trip to Palau from Tuvalu, Lai will transit for a night through Guam.

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao urged the US to uphold the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, “honor commitments made by its leaders not to support ‘Taiwan independence’ and cease official exchanges with Taiwan.”

“China's determination to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and oppose foreign interference is unwavering,” she added.

China considers Taiwan as its “breakaway province” while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949. Over the years, the number of Taiwan's diplomatic allies has dwindled to 12.