Taiwan's President visited a U.S. State Department-funded think tank and educational institution in Hawaii as part of a Pacific island tour, drawing criticism from Beijing. Lai Ching-te exchanged gifts with the president of the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii's Manoa campus. China condemned U.S. support for the visit and a recent U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan.
Lai's visit to Hawaii is part of a weeklong voyage that includes stops in the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, three of the 12 countries with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The East-West Center promotes relations among the U.S., Asia, and the Pacific, making it a fitting location for Lai's visit.
During his visit, Lai discussed disaster preparedness with Hawaii Governor Josh Green at the state's emergency management agency. Lai, a physician by training, and Green, a former emergency room physician, highlighted shared values of resilience and collaboration between Hawaii and Taiwan.
U.S. Rep. Ed Case emphasized the enduring ties between the U.S. and Taiwan based on shared values and interests. The U.S. recently announced a new arms sale to Taiwan, including spare parts and equipment for F-16s, in line with the Taiwan Relations Act.
While in Hawaii, Lai also met with Hawaii congressional representatives and state lawmakers, as well as the Taiwanese American community. The visit comes amid tensions between China and Taiwan, with China objecting to official contacts between foreign governments and Taiwan.
Washington's strategic ambiguity over potential involvement in a conflict between China and Taiwan adds complexity to the situation. Despite the challenges, leaders from both Hawaii and Taiwan emphasized the importance of human connections and collaboration in addressing shared challenges.
