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Taiwan President Lai leaves for Hawaii as a part of Pacific tour
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China claims Taiwan as its personal territory
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US declares new arms sale shortly earlier than Lai leaves
By Angie Teo and Ann Wang
TAOYUAN, Taiwan, – Taiwan is a key drive for selling international peace and stability, President Lai Ching-te stated as he left for Hawaii on Saturday as a part of a Pacific tour, thanking america for permitting him to cease over.
China, which views the democratically ruled island as its personal territory, has been stepping up navy stress towards Taiwan, together with two rounds of conflict video games this 12 months.
Safety sources have informed Reuters that Beijing might 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 stated: “Thanks to the U.S. authorities for upholding the rules of security, dignity, consolation and comfort for serving to the sleek means of this journey.”
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 america to satisfy pleasant U.S. politicians and provides speeches. Such stopovers are usually on visits to remote allies within the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean.
“This journey is the start of a brand new period of value-based diplomacy. Democracy, prosperity, and peace are the expectations of the folks of Taiwan, and they’re additionally the values that I, as president, should actively promote,” Lai stated.
“I’ll proceed to broaden cooperation and deepen our partnership with our allies and pals based mostly on the values of democracy, peace, and prosperity, in order that the world can see that Taiwan will not be solely a mannequin of democracy, but additionally a key drive in selling international peace, stability, and prosperity.”
Hawaii and Guam are dwelling to main U.S. navy bases.
A number of hours earlier than Lai’s departure, america introduced a brand new arms sale package deal for Taiwan, of spare elements for F-16 jets and radars for an estimated $385 million.
China on Friday urged america to train “utmost warning” in its relations with Taiwan.
The State Division stated 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 Might. He returns to Taiwan on Friday.
Taiwan’s authorities rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says it has a proper to have interaction with the world and for its leaders to journey overseas.
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