TAOYUAN, Taiwan – Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te emphasized Taiwan’s role as a key promoter of global peace and stability as he departed for a Pacific tour on Nov 30, including stopovers in Hawaii and Guam. The trip aims to strengthen ties with Pacific allies and promote values of democracy and prosperity.
Speaking at Taiwan’s main airport, Lai thanked the US for facilitating the visit and called the trip “the beginning of a new era of value-based diplomacy.” His itinerary includes visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, among the few nations maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The US recently approved a $385 million arms package for Taiwan, underscoring its continued support amid China’s increasing military pressure on the island. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, warned against using Lai’s visit as a pretext for provocation.
Lai reaffirmed Taiwan’s right to engage with the global community, asserting that the island is not only a model democracy but also a key contributor to global peace and stability.