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Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is scheduled to stop over in several cities in the United States as part of her visit to several Central American countries. Photo/REUTERS/Ann Wang
WASHINGTON – The White House asks China not to overreact to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen stopping by United States of America (USA) during his visit to several Central American countries.
Washington says such transits are normal.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby stressed that President Tsai Ing-wen’s transit was in line with US policy, which recognizes China’s claims to the self-governing island.
“This transit is consistent with our longstanding unofficial relationship with Taiwan and consistent with the United States’ ‘One China’ policy, which remains unchanged,” he said.
“There is no reason—nothing—for China to overreact here,” Kirby said, noting that Washington expected a normal and smooth transit by Tsai.
Tsai is scheduled to travel across New York on Wednesday (29/3/2023) and across Los Angeles in April as part of a trip to and from Guatemala and Belize.
He is scheduled to return to Taipei on April 7.
Taiwan’s president has crossed the US before, most recently in 2019. But this time he is expected to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California, a move likely to infuriate Beijing.
Kirby said he could not speak for the top Republican legislator or his agenda.
