China has issued a warning over Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s plans to visit the U.S. during his Pacific tour, accusing him of pushing separatism and threatening military action. Lai’s travels, which include stops in Tuvalu, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, have drawn Beijing’s ire for allegedly undermining the one-China policy.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua described Lai’s trip as “seeking independence by relying on [forces from] the outside” and urged the Biden administration to deny him entry. Chen claimed the visit would send “the wrong signals” to pro-independence factions in Taiwan.
Lai’s journey underscores Taiwan’s efforts to maintain international partnerships amid growing Chinese pressure. Since 1949, Taiwan has operated as a self-governing democracy, but Beijing insists it remains part of China and has ramped up military posturing to reinforce this claim.
Reports indicate China may conduct military drills near Taiwan following Lai’s return, continuing its pattern of using intimidation to assert control. These drills would mark another escalation in Beijing’s efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and deter foreign engagement.
The Biden administration faces a challenging decision: allowing Lai’s travel risks further inflaming tensions with China, while denying it could weaken U.S. support for Taiwan’s democracy. The stakes are high, with regional stability and Taiwan’s sovereignty hanging in the balance.
Lai’s travels come at a critical moment, highlighting Taiwan’s struggle to maintain its independence and China’s determination to suppress any challenges to its claims over the island.
