Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, visited a U.S. State Department-supported think tank and educational institution in Hawaii on Sunday, marking the second day of his two-day stay in the state. This visit is part of his ongoing tour of the Pacific Islands, which has sparked criticism from Beijing.
During his visit to the East-West Center, located on the University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus, Lai met with the center’s president and exchanged gifts. He also delivered a speech, though journalists were escorted out of the conference hall before he began speaking.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong disapproval of the U.S. supporting Lai’s visit and lodged a formal complaint. The ministry also condemned a recent U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. A statement from the ministry emphasized China’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, warning of “resolute and forceful measures” if necessary.
Hawaii marked the first stop of Lai’s week-long trip, which will also take him to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, three of the 12 countries with which Taiwan maintains diplomatic relations.
Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, the president of the East-West Center, emphasized that the institution was an ideal venue for Lai’s visit due to its mission of fostering connections between the United States, Asia, and the Pacific. She noted that Hawaii’s unique location makes it a perfect place for such engagements, highlighting the human connections that can be made there.
Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, also visited the East-West Center in 2019 and 2017. On Saturday, Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green hosted Lai at the state’s emergency management agency, where they discussed disaster preparedness. Green, a former emergency room physician, noted that both he and Lai shared similar healthcare backgrounds and perspectives on governance. The two leaders also exchanged views on resilience and collaboration between Hawaii and Taiwan.
Lai also participated in a dinner event with the Taiwanese American community, where he posed for photos with Hawaii’s congressional representatives and state lawmakers. U.S. Representative Ed Case, who represents Honolulu, spoke about the enduring ties between the two regions, emphasizing shared values and mutual goals.
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It remains uncertain whether Lai will meet with senior officials from the Biden administration or the incoming Trump administration during his visit to Hawaii. President-elect Donald Trump has previously suggested that Taiwan should bear the cost of its own defense, despite the island’s purchase of significant amounts of U.S. defense equipment. The recent U.S. arms sale includes $385 million worth of spare parts and equipment for Taiwan’s F-16 fleet, along with support for its tactical communication systems.
While the U.S. is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act to assist Taiwan in its defense, it has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding direct involvement in a potential conflict between Taiwan and China.
Lai’s visit follows a pattern of friction with China, which strongly opposed Tsai’s stop in New York last year, where she met with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. In retaliation, the Chinese military conducted drills around Taiwan, framing them as a stern warning against foreign interference.
China continues to oppose any official foreign engagement with Taiwan, viewing it as a challenge to its sovereignty over the island, a stance that has persisted since the U.S. switched its formal recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.