Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is setting off for the United States and three South Pacific nations in an effort to crack the diplomatic isolation imposed by rival China.
Tsai will visit the Marshall and Solomon Islands along with Tuvalu starting Saturday, while transiting through Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam. The three are among just 20 countries that extend Taiwan formal diplomatic recognition.
Tsai's travels follow Panama's switching of diplomatic relations to Beijing in June in what was seen as a major diplomatic setback for Taiwan.
In the Marshalls and Solomons, Tsai will find an "opportunity to better understand the sustainable development needs of the two countries and determine how (Taiwan) can assist in line with steadfast diplomacy," the government said in a statement posted on its official website.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang demanded Tsai be barred from transiting through the U.S., which, like most countries, has only unofficial relations with Taiwan.
"Regarding the transit of Taiwan's leader in the United States, I think her true intention is clear for all to see," Geng said at a daily news briefing.
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