The US and China remain at odds over Taiwan, which is seen by Beijing as an essential part of Chinese territory. Washington-Beijing tensions escalated following what China described as a “provocative” visit by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan last year.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen left Taipei on Wednesday for a 10-day tour of Central America, during which she is due to visit Taiwanβs allies, Guatemala and Belize.
The tour will see Tsaiβs planned unofficial stopovers in the US, where she is expected to meet with congressional leaders including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.