By Gizem Nisa Cebi
ISTANBUL (AA) - Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te arrived Saturday in the US state of Hawaii for a three-day visit, his first to the Pacific since taking office in May, according to media reports.
Hawaii News Now reported that Lai will meet Gov. Josh Green and local Chinese leaders before engaging Sunday with community and military figures.
The visit to Honolulu is part of a diplomatic tour to strengthen ties with key Pacific allies amid escalating tensions with Beijing.
Lai’s visit precedes a week-long tour of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau -- Pacific allies of Taiwan. Beijing has criticized the trip, viewing it as a challenge to its sovereignty claims.
Though the US does not have formal ties with Taiwan, the island is a key military partner, purchasing billions in defense weapons from Washington for security in the Taiwan Strait.