Taiwan's President Faces Chinese Backlash Over Hawaii Visit and U.S. Support

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te visited Hawaii as part of a Pacific island tour, meeting with local officials and the Taiwanese American community, which drew condemnation from China. Beijing criticized the U.S. for supporting Lai's visit and a recent arms sale to Taiwan, reiterating its claim over the self-governing island. The visit highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S., Taiwan, and China, with the U.S. maintaining strategic ambiguity regarding its defense commitments to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act.