Taiwanese leader visits US territories amid Chinese disapproval

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te embarked on an overseas trip, beginning with a two-night stopover in Hawaii, followed by visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, one-night stops in Guam, and closed-door discussions with think tanks. The trip marks Lai's first overseas visit as president and has triggered a response from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has threatened to "resolutely crush" any attempt at independence. The timing of the trip is significant, coinciding as it does with leadership change inside the White House and Lai's efforts to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan's dwindling number of allies.