China has labeled Taiwan's Vice President, William Lai, a "troublemaker" due to his ongoing visit to the United States. Lai, a prominent contender in Taiwan's upcoming presidential election, visited the U.S. en route to Paraguay, BBC reports.
Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has been increasingly critical of interactions between U.S. and Taiwanese officials. China accused the U.S. of engaging Taiwan in political activities disguised as stopovers.
Lai, affiliated with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), recently visited New York, where he delivered a speech emphasizing Taiwan's sovereignty in the face of authoritarianism. Scheduled to stop in San Francisco before returning to Taiwan, Lai's visit comes at a time of strained U.S.-China relations, with Taiwan emerging as a significant point of contention.
China's military exercises near Taiwan are expected to coincide with Lai's return, following a pattern of heightened military activities after visits by Taiwanese officials to the U.S. China has increased such actions since a trip by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in 2022.
Lai's visit ostensibly aims to represent President Tsai Ing-wen at the swearing-in ceremony of Paraguay's new president, Santiago Peña, as Paraguay maintains formal ties with Taiwan. However, the visit also signals Lai's international emergence ahead of the crucial election.
China perceives Lai as an advocate for Taiwan's independence and likely seeks to prevent his election victory, as BBC claims. China's assertive actions before the 2020 election inadvertently aided Tsai's re-election. This time, China faces a delicate balance, attempting to demonstrate disapproval without bolstering Lai's image. It could intensify military intrusions around Taiwan, though intrusions are already higher than last year due to China's "grey zone warfare."
Lai's statements may escalate tensions between the U.S. and Taiwan. He highlighted Taiwan's self-determination and stressed that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other. Lai expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with China for peace and stability, common election rhetoric.
Despite the U.S. formally severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, it remains a close ally, supplying substantial arms under the Taiwan Relations Act. While Taiwan considers itself separate from mainland China with its own democratic government, Beijing, particularly under Xi Jinping, aims to reunify the island, even through force if necessary.
Moreover, recently it was announced that Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu is embarking on a six-day visit to Russia and Belarus, underscoring Beijing's commitment to supporting nations that have faced isolation in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Threads pages to keep up to date on world news.
Comments (0)