Medical and Hospital News
TAIWAN NEWS
Taiwan says President Lai not blocked from US stopover
Taiwan says President Lai not blocked from US stopover
by AFP Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) July 29, 2025

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has not been blocked from visiting the United States, Taipei's foreign ministry said Tuesday, insisting he has no plans to travel overseas "in the near future".

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump's administration reportedly denied permission for Lai to transit in New York as part of an official trip to Latin America next month.

Lai's office had never confirmed his travel plans, but Paraguay, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America, said in mid-July that Lai would visit the country in 30 days.

Such a visit would likely mean Lai would need to fly through US territory.

"There has been no postponement, cancellation, nor any denial of permission for the transit by the US side," spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei told reporters in Taipei.

"Given the ongoing post-disaster recovery efforts in southern Taiwan, the ongoing reciprocal tariff negotiations with the US, and the relevant international situation, the president has no plans for overseas visits in the near future."

In Washington, asked about the report, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told a media briefing that there had been no travel plans presented for Taiwan's president and therefore "nothing canceled."

She reiterated Washington's policy that "transits by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are fully consistent with our long-standing policy and practice. This has not changed."

The Financial Times, citing unnamed sources, reported Tuesday that the Trump administration had denied permission for a Lai stopover in New York, after Beijing objected.

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes any international exchanges with the democratic island.

Asked about the reports on Tuesday, Beijing's foreign ministry reiterated its opposition to Taiwan's leaders visiting the United States.

"This position is consistent, clear, and firm," spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

The Financial Times said Lai decided not to travel after he was told he couldn't enter New York.

Chinese and US officials held trade talks Tuesday in Stockholm, in a bid to extend a fragile truce in the face of Trump's global tariff war.

While the United States does not recognise Taiwan as a country, Washington remains the island's most important partner and biggest arms supplier.

Commenting on the Financial Times article, the former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi said the decision "sends a dangerous signal".

"But once again, (Chinese) President Xi has achieved a victory over the values, security and economy of the United States in the Trump Administration blocking the democratically elected president of Taiwan from making a diplomatic trip through New York," Pelosi wrote on Facebook.

"Let us hope President Trump's denial of this stopover in New York is not indicative of a dangerous change in U.S. policy on Taiwan."

Lai had originally planned stopovers in New York and Dallas as part of the trip to Paraguay and Central American allies Guatemala and Belize next month, Bloomberg News previously reported.

They are among Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic allies.

Related Links
Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TAIWAN NEWS
Taiwan says President Lai not blocked from US stopover
Taipei (AFP) July 29, 2025
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has not been blocked from visiting the United States, Taipei's foreign ministry said Tuesday, insisting he has no plans to travel overseas "in the near future". The remarks came after US President Donald Trump's administration reportedly denied permission for Lai to transit in New York as part of an official trip to Latin America next month. Lai's office has never confirmed his travel plans, but Paraguay, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America, said in mi ... read more

TAIWAN NEWS
Gaza seen from above: debris and darkness

Landslide-prone Nepal tests AI-powered warning system

Beijing officials admit 'gaps' in readiness after rains kill dozens

Beijing officials admit 'gaps' in readiness after rain kill dozens

TAIWAN NEWS
Galileo enhances security edge with new authentication service led by GMV

Bridges gain new voice through real time GNSS monitoring of structural behavior

ESA and Neuraspace develop autonomous satellite navigation technologies

Bogong moths rely on stars and magnetic fields to guide epic migrations

TAIWAN NEWS
Scrumped fruit shaped ape evolution and human fondness for alcohol

4,000-year-old teeth record the earliest traces of people chewing psychoactive betel nuts

Changes in diet drove physical evolution in early humans

China says childcare subsidies to 'add new impetus' to economy

TAIWAN NEWS
In Darwin's wake: Two-year global conservation voyage sparks hope

'Absolute madness': Thailand's pet lion problem

Experts condemn India park after elephants airlifted to Japan

Australia's mammal megafauna face long-term decline from extinctions and invasive species

TAIWAN NEWS
China probes Wuhan ex-mayor who presided over Covid response

WHO says all Covid-19 origin theories still open, after inconclusive study

Deadly dengue fever impacts climate-hit Bangladesh coast

After quitting WHO, US urges others to 'consider joining us': Kennedy

TAIWAN NEWS
China says 'deeply concerned' over deadly Cambodia-Thailand border clashes

China probes Tibet ex-leader over bribes, 'superstitious activities'

After the revolution, Bangladesh warms to China as India fumes

China's abandoned buildings draw urban explorers despite risks

TAIWAN NEWS
Myanmar junta claims recapture of gold mining hub

UK, Germany vow to tackle people smuggling gangs

'Las Vegas in Laos': the riverside city awash with crime

Blast kills six soldiers in Mexican cartel zone

TAIWAN NEWS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.