Lai’s weeklong journey begins on Saturday, making what’s formally known as a stopover first in Hawaii earlier than going to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 nations which have formal ties with Taiwan.
He will even cease over within the US territory of Guam.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s overseas ministry, reiterated feedback made by President Xi Jinping to US President Joe Biden at an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru this month, through which he mentioned “separatist acts” had been incompatible with peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait.
“If the US needs to take care of peace within the Taiwan Straits, it’s essential for it to recognise the independence nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Social gathering authorities,” she mentioned, referring to Taiwan’s ruling get together.
The USA should “deal with the Taiwan situation with utmost warning, unequivocally oppose Taiwan independence, and assist the peaceable reunification of China”, Mao added at a each day information briefing within the Chinese language capital.
China opposes any “scurrying to the US” of Taiwan’s leaders, in any kind, or any US assist for separatist actions, she mentioned.
“China’s dedication to defend its nationwide sovereignty and territorial integrity and oppose interference in its inside affairs by exterior forces is unwavering.”
The State Division spokesperson mentioned each democratically elected Taiwan president had transited the US, with Taiwan’s former President Tsai Ing-wen making seven abroad journeys with US transits, whereas her predecessor Ma Ying-jeou transited a number of occasions as properly, with each going by way of Hawaii twice.
The official mentioned that as with previous transits, Lai can be welcomed in Hawaii by Ingrid Larson, Washington workplace managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, the physique which serves because the unofficial US embassy in Taiwan.
Taiwan Overseas Minister Lin Chia-lung advised lawmakers on Thursday that Chinese language battle video games in response to Lai’s journey had been one of many doable eventualities.
Lai and his authorities reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying solely the island’s folks can resolve their future.
Visiting a temple in New Taipei on Friday, Lai mentioned he was trying ahead to visiting Taiwan’s three Pacific allies on his first abroad go to since assuming workplace in Might.
Lai mentioned he would maintain deepening partnerships with different nations and “maintain Taiwan going out into the world”, the presidential workplace mentioned in a press release that didn’t point out the US stopovers.
