Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said that Taiwan is crucial to promoting global peace and security, and he started a two-day journey to Hawaii on Saturday as part of his Pacific tour. Lai took office in May 2024, and since then, he has not gone abroad.
Tensions with China, which considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory and vehemently opposes any international contacts with Taiwan's government, have escalated since Lai's visit. With two rounds of war games this year alone, China has been putting more military pressure on Taiwan.
China referred to Lai as a "dangerous separatist" the night before his arrival and asked the US to proceed with "utmost caution" in its dealings with Taiwan. According to security insiders, Beijing may hold further military exercises in conjunction with Lai's Pacific tour.
Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—all of which have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan—are on Lai's itinerary. Given China's efforts to expand its influence in the area, these countries are strategically significant.
President Lai acknowledged the U.S. government's help in keeping him safe and comfortable during his visit and thanked them for making his tour go smoothly before leaving. He underlined that these principles made his journey easier.
Lai was greeted at the airport by Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who described the event as momentous and reflected Hawaii's shared ideals with Taiwan. Later, Green invited Lai to provide a briefing on emergency management, with an emphasis on how to respond to natural disasters.
Hawaii officials, including the mayor of Honolulu and the head of the city's police department, welcomed Lai at the airport with a particularly cordial reception. The reception was also attended by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
The red carpet treatment Lai received during his visit was a noteworthy act of hospitality; Taiwan's official news agency, CNA, noted that it was the most lavish welcome ever given to a Taiwanese leader in Hawaii.
The welcoming ceremony featured flowers and a more formal setting than prior stopovers, according to CNA, which also noted that the enthusiastic reception exceeded historical standards for similar unofficial trips by Taiwanese presidents.
In reaction to the lavish greeting, the U.S. State Department made it clear that Lai's visit was "private and unofficial" and within accepted norms for such visits, stressing that it shouldn't be seen as a change in diplomatic strategy.
Following his arrival in Hawaii, Lai paid a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, a monument to the victims of the Japanese attack in 1941 that precipitated America's entry into World War II. His stay gained historical context as a result of this visit.
President Lai stressed during his tour that this journey is "the beginning of a new era of value-based diplomacy." According to him, Taiwan's identity and diplomatic objectives are based on the principles of democracy, prosperity, and peace.
Lai went on to say that the goal of his presidency was to spread these principles throughout the world. He restated that Taiwan plays a vital role in promoting world peace and stability in addition to being an example of democracy.
In his reflection on Taiwan's partnerships, Lai stated his intention to deepen ties with Taiwan's partners and allies, highlighting his desire to keep growing collaboration with nations that share Taiwan's principles of democracy and peace.
The strategic location of both Hawaii and Guam, which are home to important American military installations, makes them important. Particularly in terms of defense and regional stability, these sites highlight Taiwan's expanding ties with the United States.
The United States revealed a fresh arms package for Taiwan in the hours before Lai left, which includes radar equipment and F-16 fighter jet spare parts valued at an estimated $385 million. The United States' dedication to Taiwan's defense is demonstrated by this action.
The United States is legally required to give Taiwan defensive capabilities even if it adheres to the "One-China" policy and does not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. This continued assistance includes this arms sale.
Beijing expressed worries, but the U.S. State Department reacted by saying that Lai's transit was a normal, unofficial visit and that there was no need for China to take any provocative action. Taiwan remains resolute in its position, denying Beijing's claims to sovereignty and reaffirming its right to interact with the international community.
