In brief
The Taiwanese President's statement against war emphasizes the need for global harmony.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has landed in Hawaii for a two-day visit, igniting a fiery response from China. This stopover comes as part of a wider Pacific tour and signals ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, amid heightened concerns regarding potential conflicts over Taiwan. Upon arrival, Lai asserted that war yields "no winners," advocating for a collaborative effort to avert conflict. China's foreign ministry quickly condemned the visit and lodged strong protests with the United States.Taiwan, which separated from China in 1949 after the Civil War, is viewed by Beijing as a territory still under its jurisdiction. The Chinese government fights against any international diplomatic relations with the island. The U.S. maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, balancing unofficial ties without recognizing its independence. Before his Hawaiian trip, Lai described his visit as the dawn of a "new era of value-based diplomacy." He emphasized that democracy, prosperity, and peace reflect the hopes of the Taiwanese people and values he intends to champion as their leader.During a dinner with state officials and members of Congress, he underscored the significance of his visit to Pearl Harbor, which echoed the vital message of maintaining peace. "Peace is priceless, and war has no winners," he reiterated. Following Hawaii, Lai’s itinerary includes visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau— the only Pacific nations among 12 that acknowledge Taiwan’s independence, with a short stop in the U.S. territory of Guam. Prior to the departure, a Chinese defence spokesperson warned against any official engagements with Taiwan, vowing to "resolutely crush" independence efforts.
