Beijing could launch drills near Taiwan over Lai's Pacific trip

China set to use Taiwanese leader's visit to allies and US transit as pretext: Sources

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TAIPEI - China is likely to launch military drills in the coming days near Taiwan, using President Lai Ching-te's upcoming trip to the Pacific and scheduled US transit as a pretext, according to assessments by Taiwan and regional security officials.

Mr. Lai will start a visit to Taipei's three diplomatic allies in the Pacific on Nov 30, and sources told Reuters he was planning stops in Hawaii and possibly the US territory of Guam in a sensitive trip coming shortly after the US election.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and the most important issue in its relations with Washington, has a strong dislike of Mr. Lai, whom Beijing calls a "separatist".

Mr. Lai's office has yet to confirm details of what are officially stopovers in the US, but is expected to do so shortly before he departs, sources familiar with the trip have previously said.

Beijing could conduct military maneuvers around or shortly after Mr. Lai's trip, which ends on Dec 6, said four officials in the region briefed on the matter.

China's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment, though the government has urged the US not to permit Mr. Lai to transit.