Taiwan President Lai’s US transit will be routine, says Washington
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US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce did not confirm that Mr Lai would transit and downplayed the political implications.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Washington – The US said on July 17 that there would be no change in its Taiwan policy if the self-ruled island’s president transits through US soil, as China issued a warning.
Paraguay, one of a dwindling number of countries to recognise Taipei rather than Beijing, announced on July 14 that Taiwan President Lai Ching-te would visit in August, likely meaning he would need to fly through US territory.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce did not confirm that Mr Lai would transit and downplayed the political implications.
“Transits of the United States by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are in line with past practice and fully consistent with our longstanding policy,” she told reporters.
“Such transits are undertaken with consideration for the safety, comfort, convenience and dignity of the passenger,” she said.
China’s Foreign Ministry warned both Paraguay and the US about Mr Lai’s travel.
“We oppose any visit to the US by leaders of the Taiwan authorities under whatever reason or pretext,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X.
China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as its territory and has threatened to annex it by force.
The US recognises only Beijing but sells weapons to Taiwan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a long-time critic of Beijing, met last week in Malaysia with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in what he called “very constructive and productive” talks.
Mr Rubio said after the meeting that “obviously we understand their viewpoints on Taiwan” but that there was no discussion about potential transit by Mr Lai. AFP
