Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te engaged in a 20-minute conversation with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday during his visit to Hawaii, where they addressed concerns regarding China’s military threats, as reported by the Central News Agency.
Lai’s trip is officially categorized as a stopover in Hawaii while he embarks on a week-long journey across the Pacific, a move that has drawn condemnation from China, which opposes any transit by Taiwanese leaders on U.S. soil.
China asserts that Taiwan, which operates as a democratic entity, is part of its territory, a claim that Lai and his administration firmly dispute.
According to Karen Kuo, a spokesperson for the presidential office, the dialogue between Lai and Pelosi was friendly and productive, covering topics such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and the military threats posed by China to Taiwan.
Pelosi continues to hold a prominent position within the Democratic Party. In response to her visit to Taiwan in 2022, China conducted military exercises around the island.
Security sources have indicated to Reuters that China may conduct additional military drills around Taiwan in conjunction with Lai’s Pacific tour.
The United States remains Taiwan’s primary international supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations.
Following his time in Hawaii, Lai will visit the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, which are among the 12 nations that maintain official ties with Taipei. He will also make a stop in the U.S. territory of Guam.
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