Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York City on Wednesday and said that ties between Taiwan and the United States had "never been closer," despite warnings from Beijing that her trip may further damage US-China Relations.
Tsai Ing-wen made the remarks from the city, the first of two scheduled stopovers in the United States between a state visit to Central America and the rest of her tour.
During a luncheon with members of the Taiwanese-American community, Tsai declared, "Taiwan cannot remain isolated, and we do not take friendship for granted," per CNN.
Beijing, which claims independent Taiwan as its territory despite never having governed it, has already forcefully condemned Tsai's visit. This comes at a time of escalating the US-China conflict .
On Wednesday, Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York, where she was met by protestors and admirers in equal numbers outside her hotel.
Tsai Ing-wen would go to Guatemala and Belize to boost relationships in Central America, and she will likely transit via Los Angeles, where Taiwan's leader may meet with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, according to Inquirer.
US-China Conflict May Escalate Further
China's charge d'affaires in the United States, Xu Xueyuan, warned reporters in Washington on Wednesday that Tsai's passage through the country might cause a "serious" conflict in the US-China relationship and have a "severe impact" on relations between the two countries.
The Chinese official added the US should take responsibility for "all consequences" since the US has undertaken significant challenges to "China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Tsai Ing-wen is making her first stopover in the United States since 2019. China has consistently cautioned US officials not to see her because it would be perceived as supporting Taiwan's quest to be recognized as a distinct nation.
Tensions between China, Taiwan, and the US peaked last year when former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taipei and met with Tsai Ing-wen, per the BBC.
In response to Nancy Pelosi's visit, China conducted military exercises for a week near Taiwan.
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