TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部) defended President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) U.S. transit as a sovereign right on Sunday (Dec. 1). President Lai, embarking on his first official visit to the South Pacific allies since taking office, transited through Hawaii on Sunday, Taiwan time.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern condemnation on its website Sunday, criticizing the U.S. for facilitating Lai's transit and lodging a formal protest.
In response, Taiwan's MOFA emphasized that Lai's visit aims to strengthen ties with South Pacific allies and that transiting through the U.S. follows customary practice. The ministry thanked the U.S. for safety, dignity, convenience, and comfort assistance.
The ministry reiterated that the Republic of China (中華民國) is a sovereign state and is not subordinate to the People's Republic of China (中華人民共和國), which has never governed Taiwan for a single day. It warned that if China overreacts to Lai's routine visit, it will be deemed an inappropriate action that will undermine regional peace and stability, likely drawing international condemnation.
