Lai's first overseas trip calibrated amid uncertainty over Trump 2.0

But Taiwan President's outing still likely to trigger a response from China, say analysts

- Michelle Ng

BEIJING - Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's first trip abroad six months after he took office in May was carefully calibrated but was nevertheless likely to trigger a response from China in the form of military drills around the island, analysts said.

While China has already criticised the trip, which took place from Nov 30 to Dec 6 and included two stopovers in US territories Hawaii and Guam, Mr Lai has not said anything particularly provocative to Beijing, they added.

Mr Lai also visited the Pacific Island nations of Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that still maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

On Dec 6, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Mr Lai's "transit" in the US on his trip is in reality a "political manipulation" by his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to "seek independence by relying on the US" and a move by the US to "use Taiwan to contain China".

But Dr Qi Dongtao, a senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute in Singapore, noted that Mr Lai appeared to be more careful this time round and did not say anything that would particularly outrage Beijing.

The Taiwan leader, whom Beijing brands as a separatist, has infuriated Beijing in the past with his comments. As recently as Oct 5, he referred to mainland China as Taiwan's "neighbour".

One reason for the relative restraint could be uncertainty over the incoming Trump administration, said Dr Qi, who does research on cross-strait issues.