‘Red carpet treatment’: Taiwan’s Lai feted during US stop on Pacific trip
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was warmly welcomed with red carpets, garlands of flowers, and friendly “alohas” as he began his two-day stopover in Hawaii, marking the start of a significant Pacific tour that has ignited strong reactions from Beijing.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has issued threats to counter any perceived moves toward independence, in response to Lai’s initial overseas trip as president. Dressed casually in a Hawaiian shirt, Lai enjoyed his time in Hawaii, touring the Pacific Island History Museum, an emergency management center, and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
His arrival was marked by the “red carpet treatment” at Honolulu’s international airport, a first for a Taiwanese president, according to his office. He was greeted by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Hawaii Governor Josh Green, and various officials.
At each stop, Lai was draped in leis, the vibrant flower garlands, and met with warm greetings reflecting the hospitality of Hawaii. In the evening, he received a standing ovation as he walked down a red carpet for a dinner attended by US government officials and the Taiwanese community living abroad.
In his initial public address during this week-long trip, Lai expressed his gratitude to the United States for its support in facilitating this journey. He highlighted the strength of US-Taiwan relations, with AIT Chairperson Laura Rosenberger stating the partnership between Washington and Taipei is “rock solid.”
Rosenberger emphasized the invaluable opportunity for Lai to engage with influential leaders and the diaspora community, which she believes will further solidify the strong US-Taiwan partnership.
Beijing has consistently opposed any form of international recognition of Taiwan and vehemently resists formal contact between the island and the United States. Although the US does not formally recognize Taiwan diplomatically, it remains its most crucial ally and primary arms supplier.
China’s foreign ministry voiced its strong condemnation of the US regarding Lai’s stopover, claiming to have lodged serious protests. It announced intentions to closely monitor developments and take decisive actions to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Following his time in Hawaii, Lai is set to visit Taiwan’s allies, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau— the only Pacific island nations recognizing Taiwan’s claim to statehood— before making a brief stop in Guam.
Before departing from Taipei, Lai spoke of embarking on a journey that “ushers in a new era of values-based democracy,” and he thanked the US government for facilitating his trip. He expressed desires to expand cooperation and deepen partnerships with allies grounded in democracy, peace, and prosperity.
“We are all Team Taiwan,” Lai remarked to reporters onboard the plane, emphasizing collaborative efforts towards achieving common goals.
Taiwan operates under the constant threat of invasion from China, which has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the island. In recent years, Beijing has ramped up its military presence around Taiwan, with increased sorties of fighter jets, drones, and warships.
Lai’s aircraft was accompanied by Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter jets for part of its journey to Hawaii, which he described as a meaningful gesture, underscoring the heavy responsibilities that lay ahead during this trip.
Previously, Taiwanese officials have made stopovers in the US during journeys to the Pacific or Latin America, often leading to heightened tensions with China, which sometimes responds with military drills in the region.
In a swift rebuttal to news of Lai’s trip, a defense ministry spokesperson in China asserted a firm opposition to any form of official interactions with what they refer to as China’s Taiwan region, vowing to “resolutely crush” any movements towards Taiwan’s independence.
Lai’s trip is notable as it coincides with the recent approval by the US of a proposed sale of spare parts for F-16s and radar systems to Taiwan, in deals valued at $385 million combined.
With the backdrop of Taiwan’s increasing global visibility, Lai’s journey comes at a pivotal moment as the US prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose administration is poised to adopt a different approach towards Taiwan and China.
Throughout his campaign, Trump created unease with comments suggesting that Taiwan should contribute financially for its defense, adding an element of uncertainty regarding future US-Taiwan relations under the new administration.
