China has reacted angrily to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s plans to briefly visit Hawaii while traveling through the Pacific. The trip, which includes stops in Tuvalu, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, has led Beijing to demand that the Biden administration prevent Lai from landing on U.S. soil.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office labeled Lai a “separatist” and accused him of advancing Taiwan’s independence through international outreach. Spokesperson Chen Binhua said the visit is “seeking independence by relying on [forces from] the outside” and urged the U.S. to halt what it called provocative actions.
Taiwan has operated as a self-governing democracy since 1949, but Beijing claims it as part of its territory under the one-China policy. Lai’s trip, according to China, undermines that framework and encourages efforts to establish Taiwan as a separate entity.
Reports suggest that China may respond by conducting military drills near Taiwan following Lai’s return from his travels. This would continue Beijing’s recent pattern of using military pressure to intimidate Taiwan and discourage international engagement.
The U.S. faces a difficult decision in balancing its longstanding policy of supporting Taiwan’s democracy with avoiding unnecessary escalation with China. Allowing Lai to travel through U.S. territory risks provoking Beijing, while denying him entry could signal weakness in the face of Chinese aggression.
As tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait, Lai’s journey underscores the growing challenges Taiwan faces in maintaining its sovereignty and strengthening its international alliances.
