For example, then-president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) transited through Hawaii during outbound and return trips in a visit to Central American allies in 2014, the source said. Despite rumors that Lai is treated worse than his predecessors Ma and former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), the US government’s handling of Taiwanese presidents’ transit through its territories significantly improved during Tsai’s presidency, the source said. That attested to Washington’s faith in the Democratic Progressive Party as a more reliable government worthy of dialogue and cooperation, the source said. Citing the editorial, the source said such narratives attempted to foster the illusion that Washington harbors suspicions of Lai and is giving him discriminatory treatment. Washington’s attitude toward Taiwanese presidents’ stopovers would not change because it is a different time or due to international situations, and its continued assistance despite regime changes shows the solid ties between Taiwan and the US, they said.

Source: Taipei Times November 23, 2024 18:43 UTC