China urges 'utmost caution' by US ahead of Taiwan president's Hawaii trip

29/11/2024 18:06

        China urged the United States on Friday to exercise the "utmost caution" on relations with democratically-governed Taiwan, ahead of a sensitive trip its President Lai Ching-te starts this week to both Hawaii and Guam, as part of a Pacific tour.
        
        China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, opposes any foreign interactions or visits by the island's leaders, especially those involving the United States.
        Lai's week-long trip begins on Saturday, making what is officially called a stopover first in Hawaii before going to Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries which have formal ties with Taiwan. He will also stop over in the U.S. territory of Guam.
        
        Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, reiterated comments made by President Xi Jinping to U.S. President Joe Biden at an Asia Pacific summit in Peru this month, in which he said "separatist acts" were incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
        
        "If the United States wants to maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits, it is crucial for it to recognise the independence nature of Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities," she said, referring to the ruling party.