By Angie Teo and Ann Wang
TAOYUAN, Taiwan (Reuters) – Taiwan is a key pressure for selling international peace and stability, President Lai Ching-te mentioned as he left for Hawaii on Saturday as a part of a Pacific tour, thanking the USA for permitting him to cease over.
China, which views the democratically ruled island as its personal territory, has been stepping up navy strain in opposition to Taiwan, together with two rounds of struggle video games this 12 months.
Safety sources have informed Reuters that Beijing could maintain extra to coincide with Lai’s Pacific tour, which incorporates stopovers in Hawaii and Guam, a U.S. territory.
Talking to reporters at Taiwan’s important worldwide airport outdoors of Taipei, Lai mentioned: “Thank you to the U.S. government for upholding the principles of safety, dignity, comfort and convenience for helping the smooth process of this trip.”
Lai is stopping in Hawaii for the primary two nights, earlier than going to Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 international locations which retain formal diplomatic ties with Taipei and part of the world the place China has been exerting ever stronger affect.
Taiwan presidents usually make use of what are formally solely stopovers in the USA to satisfy pleasant U.S. politicians and provides speeches. Such stopovers are sometimes on visits to faraway allies within the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean.
“This trip is the beginning of a new era of value-based diplomacy. Democracy, prosperity, and peace are the expectations of the people of Taiwan, and they are also the values that I, as president, must actively promote,” Lai mentioned.
“I will continue to expand cooperation and deepen our partnership with our allies and friends based on the values of democracy, peace, and prosperity, so that the world can see that Taiwan is not only a model of democracy, but also a key force in promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity.”
Hawaii and Guam are dwelling to main U.S. navy bases.
A couple of hours earlier than Lai’s departure, the USA introduced a brand new arms sale package deal for Taiwan, of spare components for F-16 jets and radars for an estimated $385 million.
China on Friday urged the USA to train “utmost caution” in its relations with Taiwan.
The State Division mentioned it noticed no justification for what it known as a personal, routine and unofficial transit by Lai for use as a pretext for provocation.
That is Lai’s first overseas journey since taking workplace in Could. He returns to Taiwan on Friday.
Taiwan’s authorities rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says it has a proper to interact with the world and for its leaders to journey overseas.
