Taiwan is a force for global peace, president says as he leaves for Hawaii

30/11/2024 17:12

        Taiwan is a key force for promoting global peace and stability, President Lai Ching-te said as he left for Hawaii on Saturday as part of a Pacific tour, thanking the United States for allowing him to stop over.
        
        Speaking to reporters at Taiwan's main international airport outside of Taipei, Lai said: "Thank you to the U.S. government for upholding the principles of safety, dignity, comfort and convenience for helping the smooth process of this trip."
        
        Lai is stopping in Hawaii for the first two nights, before going to Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries which retain formal diplomatic ties with Taipei and a part of the world where China has been exerting ever stronger influence.
        
        Taiwan presidents often make use of what are officially only stopovers in the United States to meet friendly U.S. politicians and give speeches. Such stopovers are typically on visits to far flung allies in the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean.