Taiwan leader plans US stopover on diplomatic tour

Taiwan’s leader will stop over in the United States during a visit to four Caribbean diplomatic allies in a move that could anger Beijing.

China sees the self-ruling democratic island as part of its territory awaiting reunification, and bristles at countries that might lend Taiwan diplomatic support or legitimacy.

Although Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, it has remained Taiwan’s most powerful unofficial ally and biggest arms supplier.

President Tsai Ing-wen’s office yesterday announced there would be two US stopovers -- although the exact locations have not been confirmed -- during her July 11-22 trip to four Caribbean allies.

“We received high courtesy from the US side in every (previous) transit and we are sure it’ll be the same this time,” deputy foreign minister Miguel Tsao told reporters.