Taiwan President Reiterates Commitment to Peace in Visit to Hawaii

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te presents a gift to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency in Honolulu on Nov. 30, 2024. Ronen Zilberman/AFP via Getty Images

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived in Hawaii on Nov. 30, his first foreign visit since being elected, to promote “values-based diplomacy,” reiterating Taiwan’s commitment to peace amid China’s growing aggression in the region.

“Peace is priceless and war has no winner. We have to fight—fight together to prevent war,” Lai told allies during his two-day Hawaii stopover before traveling to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau.

Lai was greeted by Hawaii Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi after arriving at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Lai then visited Bishop Museum, Hawaii’s leading museum of natural history and Native Hawaiian culture, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

He later delivered a short speech during a banquet to a crowd of overseas Taiwanese and U.S. politicians, including Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Rep. Ed Case (D-Hawaii).

“Our visit to the [USS Arizona] Memorial today in particular reminds us of the importance of ensuring peace,” he said.

The trip took place amid rising tension between China and Taiwan. Days after Lai took office in May, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched what it called “punishment” military drills encircling Taiwan.

China launched another round of military drills encircling Taiwan in October, days after Lai said that “China has no right to represent Taiwan” during a speech marking the island’s national day celebration.

The Chinese regime sees Taiwan as a part of its territory and is threatening to seize the island with military forces. The communist regime also opposes foreign governments granting permissions for visits by Taiwanese officials.

A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry said China “condemns” the United States’ arrangement for Lai’s stopover and added that it has lodged a protest with Washington, according to a statement.

Before departing Taiwan for the trip, Lai held a press conference saying that his trip “marks a new era in values-based diplomacy.”

“Through this trip, I hope to show the world that we, together with these enthusiastic Pacific Island countries, are upholding democratic values, and will continue to cooperate going forward on that path,” he said.

Luke noted at the banquet that this year marks the 31st anniversary of the Haiwaii-Taiwan sister-state relationship.

“We continue to be inspired by all the things that Taiwan does in terms of using technology and innovation to try to provide better services,” Luke said.

Tokuda criticized China for holding military drills days after Lai’s inauguration speech.

“Make no mistake. This was meant to intimidate and silence Taiwan’s people with the threat of military force. We cannot allow this to happen,” Tokuda said, adding that the island “stands boldly on the front line of global democracy.”

“Let there be no ambiguity. The United States must continue to stand by Taiwan, promote peace and stability, and ensure that Taiwan’s future is decided only by its people,” Tokuda said.

In a post on social media platform X, Green shared photos of him and Lai and described their face-to-face meeting as a “momentous occasion.”

According to Taiwan’s government-run Central News Agency, Lai will have a one-day stopover in Guam before heading to Palau, the third stop of his seven-day trip. Lai will return to Taiwan on Dec. 6.

On Nov. 29, the State Department announced a potential $385 million arms sale package to Taiwan. The package consisted of spare parts and support for F-16 fighter jets, Active Electronically Scanned Array Radars, and related equipment, according to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

In response, Taiwan’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Nov. 30 thanking Washington, noting that it is the 18th military sale to Taiwan by the Biden administration since 2021.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.