China vows ‘forceful’ response to US visit by Taiwan vice president

Last updated on August 14th, 2023 at 02:41 pm

The People’s Republic of China has vowed “resolute and forceful measures” over a visit by William Lai, Taiwan Vice President, to the United States. 

On August 13, China said that it was closely monitoring the trip. China’s foreign ministry also said that China would take strong steps to protect its sovereignty.

China’s foreign ministry called Taiwan vice president William Lai a separatist and a troublemaker. The ministry went on to oppose any form of visit by “Taiwan independence separatists” to the United States.

The foreign ministry reportedly said, “William Lai stubbornly adheres to the separatist position of Taiwan independence and is a troublemaker through and through.”

William Lai is officially traveling to Paraguay, a  country in South America, to attend the inauguration of president-elect Santiago Pena, who will assume Paraguay’s presidency on August 15. 

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During his trip, Taiwan’s Vice President wanted to make a stopover in the United States to meet the officials. He reportedly arrived in New York late on Saturday. After attending the inauguration ceremony in Paraguay, he will also visit San Francisco on Wednesday. After meeting with officials, he will come back to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

China has repeatedly slammed William Lai over his short trip to the US. China called the move a demonstration of continued US support for Taiwan. 

China dislikes William Lai because he has described himself as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence.” However, William Lai has repeatedly said that he is not seeking to change the status quo.

A person familiar with the trip’s planning said that Lai would keep the visit “low key.” The person revealed that Lai would not meet US lawmakers.

William Lai wrote on X, previously Twitter, that he was “excited and looking forward to seeing friends and attending transit programs in New York.”

Taiwanese officials have claimed that China is likely to launch military drills this week.