Taipei –
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te will stop over in Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam during a trip to the Pacific, his office said Thursday, eliciting a fresh vow from China to “resolutely crush” any attempts for Taiwan independence.
China insists democratic self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes any international recognition of the island.
Lai will depart Saturday for a visit to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau — the only Pacific island nations among Taiwan’s 12 remaining allies.
