Taiwanese President Lai in Hawaii after declaring Taiwan a global peacekeeping force By Reuters

Written by Angie Teo, Ann Wang and David Brunnstrom

(Reuters) – Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te began a two-day stop in the US in Hawaii on Saturday as part of a Pacific tour after declaring his democratic island a key force in promoting global peace and stability.

China, which regards Taiwan as its territory and opposes any foreign engagement or visits by the island’s leaders, has been increasing military pressure against Taiwan, including two rounds of military exercises this year.

China views Lai as a dangerous separatist and on Friday urged Washington to exercise “greater caution” in its relations with Taiwan.

Security sources told Reuters that Beijing may hold more military exercises to coincide with Lai’s Pacific tour, which will also include a stop in the US territory of Guam. Lai’s first foreign trip since taking office in May.

After Hawaii, he will go to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that maintain formal relations with Taipei and a part of the world where China has always been strong.

Speaking to reporters before his departure, Lai said: “Thank you to the US government for maintaining the principles of security, dignity, comfort and convenience to help this trip go smoothly.”

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said in a statement after he, Honolulu’s mayor and the city’s police chief greeted Lai at the Honolulu airport, that the meeting was “a historic event,” highlighting Hawaii’s shared values ​​of strength and cooperation with Taiwan. .

Green later held Lai in a meeting with emergency managers to discuss natural disaster management, he added.

Ingrid Larson, executive director of the Washington office of the American Institute in Taiwan, the body that acts as the unofficial US embassy in Taiwan, was also at the airport to welcome Lai.

Laura Rosenberger, the center’s chairwoman, posted on X that “Ingrid Larson and the greater Hawaii community are very happy to greet you!”

Taiwan’s Official News Agency said the reception surpassed previous visits.

“President Lai’s departure was the first time he was received at the airport, a red carpet was rolled out and flowers were presented, which was a very high level of respect, different from the previous way of entering the airport; and the level of acceptance also exceeded previous trends,” said CNA.

Asked about this, a spokesman for the US State Department said: “The route is secret and illegal and for example.”

Later on Saturday, Lai will visit the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, marking the resting place of some of those killed during the 1941 Japanese invasion that brought the US into World War II, CNA said.

‘THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA’

Taiwanese presidents often use what are only official stops in the United States to meet with friendly US politicians and give speeches. Such positions often visit distant partners in the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean.

“This journey is the beginning of a new era of value-based communication,” said Lai. “Democracy, prosperity and peace are the expectations of the Taiwanese people, and they are values ​​that I, as president, must actively promote.”

He said “he will continue to expand cooperation and deepen our relations with our allies and friends based on the principles of democracy, peace and prosperity, so that the world can see that Taiwan is not only an example of democracy, but also an important force in promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity.”

Hawaii and Guam are home to major US military bases.

A few hours before Lai’s departure, the United States announced a new package of arms sales to Taiwan, including spare parts for F-16 jets and radars worth approximately $385 million.

Although it has only unofficial relations with Taiwan and follows the “one China” policy in which it sees Beijing as a proxy, the US government is legally obliged to provide the island with means of defense.

The State Department said it saw no justification for what it called Lai’s secret, regular and illegal trip to be used by China as a pretext for provocation.

Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty and says it has the right to negotiate with the world and for its leaders to travel abroad.