President departs for Latin America despite China threats

TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen departed for her 10-day trip to the United States and Latin America on Wednesday (March 29), despite China's threats of retaliation.

China's State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian held a press conference on the same day, condemning Tsai's move.

"Should the leader of Taiwan engage with the congress Speaker McCarthy during her transit in the U.S., it will be another provocation that seriously violates the one-China principle," she said. 

Zhu warned that Tsai's visit will "damage China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

"We firmly oppose this and will take resolute countermeasures to fight back."

Even so, Tsai boarded her plane in the afternoon and will land in New York the following day.

She is scheduled to meet with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on April 5, though the plans may be subject to change.