TAIWAN’S President Tsai Ing-wen has arrived in New York to transit through the United States on her way to Central America.
White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said that the official’s stopover was “normal” and “uneventful”, and pointed out that it was her 7th transit through the US during her time as the head of the island.
The stopover marks the 29th US transit made by an incumbent president of Taiwan since 1994.
In a statement, Kirby said that such transit is a common occurrence, noting that other presidents of Taiwan have transited the US and that there was nothing unusual about it.
“This is a common occurrence…other presidents of Taiwan have transited the United States. Nothing unusual about this,” said John Kirby, White House National Security spokesperson.
There have been reports that Tsai could possibly meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy before she finally returns to Taiwan.
In response, China said such a meeting would be considered an act of provocation and warned that it could lead to a “serious confrontation.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed its strong opposition to such transits by Taiwan, arguing that it violates the concept of the ‘one-China principle’ and is seen as an attempt to “propagate ‘Taiwan’s independence.’
“We have made clear of our position on Taiwan’s trip to the US….No one and no force can hold back China’s reunification,” said Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
