Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te arrived in Guam on Dec. 4 as part of a historic Pacific tour aimed at reinforcing diplomatic ties with key allies. His visit comes at a critical time as tensions between Taipei and Beijing continue to escalate.
Lai, wearing a floral shirt, arrived at the Hyatt Regency Hotel late Wednesday night, where he was greeted by cheering community members, including Guam's local Taiwanese community. He met with supporters eager to connect with the Taiwanese leader.
The U.S. territory was the fourth out of five stops on his week-long journey, which included official visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau. These nations are among the 13 worldwide that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a dwindling group as Beijing intensifies its campaign to isolate Taiwan.
U.S. transit stops draw Beijing's criticism
Lai’s tour has drawn sharp criticism from China, particularly for his transit stops on U.S. soil in Hawaii and Guam.
Beijing claims these visits violate the “One China” policy, which acknowledges Beijing as the sole government of China. However, the U.S. has dismissed these claims, emphasizing that such transit stops are unofficial and routine.
“In the face of authoritarian expansionism, all like-minded countries and areas must unite and collaborate to safeguard democracy, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” Lai said during remarks in Guam.
Strengthening Guam-Taiwan ties
On Thursday morning, Lai joined Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero for a morning tea reception as his first public appearance on the island. The two leaders underscored shared democratic values and mutual interests.
“Guam and Taiwan are both situated in the first island chain,” Lai said through a translator. “Moving forward, we must work closer together and stand side by side to safeguard and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Governor Leon Guerrero announced that United Airlines would resume direct flights between Taipei and Guam next year, complementing routes already provided by Taiwan’s China Airlines. Lai expressed hopes that this would boost Taiwanese tourism to the island.
Leon Guerrero also acknowledged Taiwan’s aid during the pandemic, after donating 200,000 face masks to Guam. Lai thanked the governor for reopening the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in 2020.
“Our collaboration extends beyond economies to addressing pressing global challenges,” the governor said. “Both Guam and Taiwan are on the front lines of issues such as climate change and public health. By working together, we can innovate and lead efforts to secure a sustainable future for the Indo-Pacific region.”
Local perspectives on geopolitical tensions
Lai’s visit to Guam raised concerns about the U.S. territory being targeted amid U.S.-China tensions. Attorney Happy Rons said, "I don't think China is going to attack Guam immediately, as in, the wake of the Taiwan President's visit, but in the long term, it is a concern."
But other Guam residents see these tensions as nothing new. “I don't think this visit bolsters the already existing geopolitical tensions in the region, as they're already there and will remain, for quite a while," said meteorologist Landon Aydlett. “But it will likely increase some of the heavy-handed rhetoric against the United States in these uncertain times.”
Siobhon Rumurang McManus, another local resident, believes the U.S. military presence in the Pacific is already making Guam a target. "I feel like any intense military tensions in the Pacific are the explicit cause of U.S. war games, as much as they are China's expansion,” she said. “I think both of them are imperial countries that are seeking to project power into the Pacific, and I see us, and even Taiwan, and any other countries in the Pacific that have been military strongholds, as being caught between other imperial war games.”
Despite the tense geopolitical climate, Governor Arnold Palacios of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands assured an enduring relationship with Taiwan during a luncheon before Lai's departure.
“We share a distinct common value with Taiwan, and that is democracy, friendship, cultural similarities,” said Palacios. “And we continue to support Taiwan in making sure that our democracies across the region continues and endure forever.”
A tour focused on Democracy and Partnerships
Throughout his Pacific trip, Lai emphasized the importance of democracy and Taiwan’s partnerships with the U.S. and its allies.
“Democracy has given us a good way of life,” Lai said in his final speech in Guam. “We have the precious freedom and creativity that allows Taiwan to develop its economy, and also, our shared values, including democracy, have allowed Taiwan to make friends with Guam, Hawaii, the United States and the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, and any other democratic country in the world.”
Lai added that Taiwan, once under authoritarian rule, has become a “beacon of democracy” in Asia.
“Let us make a joint commitment to continuing to deepen democracy, and protect democracy, and let us not bow down to authoritarian regimes. How about that?" he said, as the packed ballroom at the Hyatt erupted in applause.
Lai’s tour concludes in Palau, where he met with President Surangel Whipps Jr. and his cabinet to discuss cooperative projects and regional matters.
Lai also led a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of Palau’s One-Stop Shop, a facility consolidating essential government services under one roof. A Taiwan-funded grant helped construct this development.
