The Vice President visited US even after China’s consistent warnings. Vice President William Lai assured his supporters during a visit to the United States that Taiwan would not yield to authoritarian threats and would stand firm. Lai, who is also a leading contender for Taiwan’s upcoming presidential elections in January, was en route to Paraguay for the inauguration of its newly elected president. Notably, Paraguay remains one of the few nations with official diplomatic ties to Taiwan despite Chinese claims over the island.
Standoff between US and China over Taiwan visit
Both Taiwan and the United States characterized these layovers, which also included a stop in San Francisco on the return journey, as routine procedures.
Nonetheless, China expressed strong opposition to a brief visit by Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai to the United States, denouncing him as a separatist and a consistent “troublemaker.” Beijing vowed to take resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, prompting a response from Taipei. In response to Lai’s arrival, China’s foreign ministry explicitly stated its firm objection to any official interactions between the US and Taiwan, particularly involving “Taiwan independence” advocates. The statement read, “China deplores and vehemently condemns the decision by the US to arrange the so-called ‘stopover.'” The ministry continued to criticize Lai, accusing him of unwaveringly advocating for “Taiwan independence” and labeling him a perpetual “troublemaker.”
Address by Lai in US
Addressing a gathering of supporters in New York on Sunday, Lai conveyed that “when Taiwan is secure, the world finds security; when the Taiwan Strait remains tranquil, global peace prevails,” as stated by Taiwan’s presidential office.
He declared, “Despite the looming threat of authoritarianism upon Taiwan, we shall remain unyielding and resolute, upholding the cherished principles of democracy and liberty.”
China has a strong aversion to Lai, who has previously identified himself as a “pragmatic advocate for Taiwan’s independence,” a stance that crosses a red line for Beijing, which maintains the option of using force to assert control over the island.
Reaffirming his commitment to peace and the prevailing status quo, Lai reiterated in New York that he was “highly open” to engaging in dialogue with China based on mutual respect and equality, as reported by Reuters.
Lai emphasized his dedication to preserving Taiwan’s sovereignty and asserted that the destiny of Taiwan rests solely with its people. He highlighted that the two entities, the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official title) and the People’s Republic of China, are not subordinate to one another.
China – Tapiei relations update
Both Taipei and Washington are striving for the U.S. layovers to remain discreet, urging China to refrain from any provocative actions in response.
Yet, Taiwanese officials suggest that China is poised to conduct military exercises near Taiwan this week, using Lai’s American stopovers as a pretext to unsettle voters in anticipation of next year’s election and instill a sense of apprehension regarding the prospect of conflict.
Lai’s speech was attended by Ingrid Larson, the managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, a U.S. government-affiliated non-profit organization responsible for unofficial relations with Taiwan.
