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Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te while addressing Guam parliament reaffirmed the partnership between Taiwan and the United States and described it as “rock solid” on Thursday, marking the second stop on his Pacific tour.
He extended his gratitude to lawmakers for supporting Taiwan’s participation in global forums, likening the relationship between Taiwan and Guam to that of a family.
The trip, aimed at strengthening international support for Taiwan, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which opposes official exchanges with the island and continues its efforts to isolate it diplomatically.
Speaking at a banquet in Guam’s capital, Hagatna, Lai celebrated the enduring ties between Taiwan and the United States, calling them “good partners in defending democracy, freedom, and prosperity.” Among the attendees were Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Ingrid Larson from the Washington office of the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan. Lai emphasised the importance of global democracies resisting authoritarian regimes, describing Taiwan as “Asia’s beacon of democracy.”
Lai’s trip, which includes stops in Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, highlighted Taiwan’s efforts to counter China’s increasing military and diplomatic pressure. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and gets angry at any form of international recognition or contact between Taiwan and countries like the United States.
During his earlier visit to Hawaii, Lai discussed China’s military threats with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and met with other U.S. officials. He praised Washington’s continued commitment to boosting Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities, a sentiment echoed by Larson, who pledged that the United States would help Taiwan resist coercion.
China, meanwhile, has condemned Lai’s Pacific tour, warning that the Taiwan issue remains a “core interest” and vowing to defend its “national sovereignty.” Beijing has not ruled out further military drills in response to Lai’s stops in U.S. territories.
As Taiwan faces regular threats from Chinese military activity near its borders, Lai’s visit underscores Taiwan’s resolve to strengthen its global alliances. The trip, which will end on Friday, reflects a broader strategy of rallying support for Taiwan’s sovereignty while navigating the challenges of an increasingly tense geopolitical climate.
