The foreign ministry says there is no need to overreact to Vice President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) transits through the United States, following criticisms from the Chinese government.
As part of his seven-day trip, Vice President Lai Ching-te will transit through the U.S. on his way to and from Paraguay, one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. Lai is leading a delegation to attend the inauguration of Paraguay President-elect Santiago Peña and will stop over New York and San Francisco.
The foreign ministry said on Thursday that the transit stops are routine and that there is no reason for China to overreact or escalate the situation. China had swiftly condemned the planned stopovers when they were announced last week. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson urged the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and refuse Lai’s transit.
Taiwan foreign ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu (劉永健) says that Lai has made transit stops to the U.S. 11 times and this will be his 12th trip. This is also his second U.S. transit during his term in office. Liu adds that if China uses this opportunity to act provocatively, then it is China that will undermine the status quo of regional peace and stability, not Taiwan, nor the United States.