Taiwan confirms President Tsai Ing-wen will make US stopovers in coming weeks

Tsai will transit in New York and Los Angeles as part of trip to visit Central American allies Guatemala and Belize

But Taipei hasn’t confirmed whether the self-ruled island’s leader will meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

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Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will stop in the US on the way to and from Central America. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:00pm, 21 Mar 2023Updated: 8:08pm, 21 Mar 2023

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will transit through the United States in the coming weeks during a trip to visit the island’s Central American allies Guatemala and Belize.

The presidential office on Tuesday confirmed Tsai’s plans, which include a two-night stop in New York from March 29, and another two-night stop in Los Angeles on the way back to Taiwan from April 4.

Office spokeswoman Lin Yu-chan said at a press briefing in Taipei that Tsai was making the trip “in response to sincere invitations from our allies … and to continue to deepen cooperation” and that it was a “journey of common prosperity with democratic partners” Guatemala and Belize. They are two of just 14 countries that still have formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.

Alexander Yui, Taiwan’s foreign vice-minister, says the US plans are still being finalised. Photo: Reuters

Lin did not provide details of Tsai’s stopovers in the US, which does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Asked if Tsai would meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles, the island’s foreign vice-minister Alexander Yui said the transit plans were still being arranged. “We will make public her US schedule after all arrangements are finalised,” he said.

In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin denounced the trip, saying Tsai’s intention was to propagate Taiwan independence.

“We have lodged solemn representations with the US,” Wang told reporters on Tuesday, adding that Beijing opposed any form of official engagement between Washington and Taipei.

“China will resolutely safeguard our territorial sovereignty and integrity,” he said.