(MENAFN) Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States en route to Central America has stirred up controversy, with China warning against a meeting between Tsai and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.^1 China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and under its "One China" principle, any country must maintain official ties with either Beijing or Taipei, but not both. However, the United States has warned China not to use Tsai's visit as an excuse to act aggressively around the Taiwan Strait.
Tsai arrived in New York, where pro-Beijing demonstrators and pro-Taiwan people gathered boisterously while she was seen arriving at her hotel.^1 Xu Xueyuan, the charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Washington, warned the US officials that Tsai's trip would violate China's core interests.
Tsai's trip comes after Honduras's decision to open diplomatic relations with Beijing, leaving Belize and Guatemala among just 13 countries that have official ties with Taipei.^1 According to her office, Tsai will meet with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and Belize Prime Minister John Briceno in their respective countries before stopping in Los Angeles on her way home.
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