Taiwan's President Lai to visit Tuvalu, Palau and Marshall Islands

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will visit Taipei's three remaining diplomatic allies in the Pacific on a trip starting at the end of the month, his office said on Nov 22, but the government declined to give details on US transit stops.

TAIPEI -

Taiwanese presidents usually use visits to allied countries to make what are officially stopovers in the US, Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, which frequently anger Beijing.

On two occasions in the past two years, China staged military drills around Taiwan after presidential or vice-presidential stopovers in the US.

On those stopovers, Taiwanese presidents often meet friendly politicians and give speeches.

Reuters reported last week that Mr Lai was planning to stop in Hawaii and maybe the US territory of Guam while he was in the Pacific.

Asked repeatedly by reporters at a news conference for details on the stopovers, Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chungkwang said they were in the planning stages and would be announced at an "appropriate time".

"But there is a principle, which is that they are handled with safety, dignity, convenience and comfort" in mind, said Mr Tien.