The Taiwanese president plans to tour Hawaii.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called Taiwan President Lai Ching-te this past week, assuring him that the United States stands beside Taiwan as China threatens retaliation for President Lai’s visit to Hawaii and Guam.
President Lai toured the Pacific nations for a week, making his first overseas trip as the leader of Taiwan. However, his stops in American territory prompted criticism from China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory and not a separate nation.
Chinese officials said they “firmly oppose” any form of official interaction between the U.S. and Taiwan, and accused Washington of interfering in what it calls its “internal affairs.”
U.S. officials countered China’s assertion. “Every democratically elected Taiwan president has transited the United States,” a State Department spokesperson said.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for U.S. officials as they commit support to Taiwan.
- For the president, the House speaker, and Senate majority leader as they seek to navigate the tensions with China.
Sources: VOA News, Reuters
