Taiwan leader visits allies, angers China

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (AFP) — Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te toured the Marshall Islands on Tuesday, after visiting the United States (US) on the first stop of a Pacific trip that has angered Chinese leaders.

The Marshall Islands is one of 12 remaining nations that recognize Taiwan diplomatically after others jumped ship to China following promises of aid and investment.

Taiwan calls itself a sovereign nation, but Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and opposes any official exchanges with it.

Beijing has sought to push Taipei off the international stage by poaching its allies and blocking it from global forums, including the United Nations.

Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine expressed her government’s commitment to “remain a staunch ally” of Taiwan, after Lai arrived in the capital Majuro, where the Taiwanese leader held talks with the government and attended a banquet.

“Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share a traditional Austronesian culture as well as the values of freedom and democracy,” Lai told Heine, speaking through an interpreter.

Lai’s first overseas trip since taking office in May began with a two-day visit to the US where he discussed “China’s military threats” towards Taiwan during a call with former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi, and met with US government officials and members of Congress — drawing a fresh barrage of criticism from Beijing.

China rejects any international recognition of Taiwan and especially bristles at official contact between the island and Washington, Taiwan’s most important security backer.

China on Tuesday vowed to defend its “national sovereignty” and “territorial integrity” as Lai visited the Marshall Islands.

“The Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, when asked whether Beijing could launch another round of war games around the self-ruled island in response to the Pacific tour.

After the Marshall Islands, Lai will visit Taiwan’s other remaining Pacific island allies Tuvalu and Palau as well as stop for one night in the US territory of Guam.