Beijing Protests Over Taiwan Leader's US Transit

Bejing on Thursday protested over Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's planned stopover in the United States after a visit to three Pacific nations, calling on Washington to block her transit.

Following a trip to Palau, Nauru and the Marshall Islands, Tsai is scheduled to transit through Hawaii on March 27.

Taiwan is typically low-key in announcing its leader's specific itineraries, fearing China will use its power to disrupt her visits.

"Any attempt to create... 'one China, one Taiwan' will be opposed by all Chinese people," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

"China has already repeatedly stated its position and has also made solemn representations to the US," he added, calling on Washington to block Tsai's entry.

During the Taiwanese leader's last US visit, Beijing lodged an official protest after she gave a speech in Los Angeles – the first time in 15 years that a Taiwanese leader spoke publicly on American soil.

Beijing also protested when Tsai transited through Hawaii and the US territory of Guam during her first official visit to the Pacific in 2017. (AFP)