TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China’s foreign ministry expressed frustration with reports that Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) as well as the former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) are both preparing to visit countries in North America over the coming weeks
On Thursday (Nov. 14), it was reported that Tsai will attend a security forum in Canada, and on Friday (Nov. 15). reports indicated that Lai will transit through the US state of Hawaii during a diplomatic tour. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian (林劍) said that China “firmly opposes” the visits by what he termed “separatist” leaders.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in response to a question about Tsai’s trip to Nova Scotia, Lin urged Canada to honor its bilateral relations with Canada with “concrete action” by refusing to allow Tsai’s visit. Tsai is expected to give an address at the Halifax International Security Forum, which begins on Nov. 22.
On Friday, Lin was asked about Lai’s upcoming diplomatic tour of Pacific allies, which may include a stop in Hawaii as well as Guam. In response, Lin called Lai’s planned visit a “separatist provocation,” and said that by allowing such a visit, Washington would send “wrong signals to” Taiwan “independence forces.”
The full itinerary and details of Lai’s upcoming trip have not yet been released, it is being treated as a sensitive matter since it will come shortly before the start of a new Trump administration.