China Protests Taiwanese Leaders' Visit To Hawaii

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian confirmed the Chinese government's rejection of Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te's visit to Hawaii and his communications with former Speaker of the United States (US) House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

"China firmly opposes all forms of official interaction between the US and Taiwan, and firmly rejects any form of US action to assist or support 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their separatist activities," Lin Jian told a news conference in Beijing., Monday, December 2nd.

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a phone call for about 20 minutes with Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te on Sunday (1/12) and expressed her support for Taiwan to participate in international organizations.

The phone call comes as Lai was in Hawaii for two nights. After Hawaii, Lai will visit Taiwanese allies, namely the Marshall Islands, palau and Palau, three countries in the Pacific archipelago among 12 Taiwanese allies and will also stop for one night in the US region of Guam.

Lai's spokesman Karen Kuo said Pelo welcomed Lai's arrival to the US and congratulated his victory in the 2024 presidential election in January and support for Taiwan in international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Taiwan's issue is at the heart of China's core interests and a red line that cannot be violated in China-US relations. We urge the US to pay full attention to Lai Ching-te separatists and the DPP authorities," said Lin Jian.

Moreover, Lai and Pelosi are also said to discuss issues including the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence, and the threat of China's military action against Taiwan.

"We ask the US to fully understand the severe damage from separatist activity of 'Taiwan independence' to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, fully adhere to the principles of 'One-China' and three communiques with China-US, stop interfering in matters related to Taiwan, which is China's internal affairs and stop helping and conspiring with separatist forces 'Taiwan independence'," added Lin Jian.

Pelosi is known to have visited Taiwan on August 2-3, 2022 to meet then Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen, as well as make him the top US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.

The visit sparked Beijing launching a massive military exercise for a week around Taiwan by simulating a blockade.

China has also firmly condemned the US arrangement to become a "restriction" for Lai Ching-te and has filed a serious protest against the US.

"China firmly opposes the journey of Taiwanese authorities' leaders to the US under any name or pretext, and firmly opposes any form of US cooperation or support for 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their separatist activities," he said.

Lai has also reportedly met with the Governor of the state of Hawaii, Josh Green, a member of the US Congress, officials from the US embassy in Taiwan and others.

Moreover, on Friday (29/11), the United States approved the proposed sale of spare parts for the F-16 and radar systems, as well as communications equipment, to Taiwan, in a deal worth a total of 385 million US dollars to maintain an ambiguity position towards Taiwan and China.

"The sale is a gross violation of international law, sending a very wrong signal to separatists of 'Taiwan independence', and harming China-US relations as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The decision to sell weapons to Taiwan is at all inconsistent with the US leaders' commitment not to support the 'Taiwan independence', we strongly oppose and have filed serious protests against the US," he added.

Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is considered a Taiwanese leader who is very persistent in fighting for Taiwanese independence.

However, Beijing called him "dangerous" and became one of the " separatist groups" to trigger cross-south conflicts.

Under the leadership of former Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP since 2016, Taiwan has taken a tough stance against Beijing as well as the principle of "One China" which says that Taiwan is territory under Beijing's rule.

Currently, there are only 12 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, namelyaturation, Guatemala, Paraguay, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Marshall Islands, Palau, Bribery, Eswatini and the Vatican.