Troublemaker Lai's US trip to hinder cross-Strait stability: expert

The planned trip by Taiwan's deputy head Lai Ching-te to the United States over the coming weekend underscores his role as a troublemaker for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, said an expert on Taiwan studies.

Ji Ye, deputy director of the Graduate Institute for Taiwan Studies at Xiamen University, told China Daily that Lai, also Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party's 2024 leadership candidate, regards the visit as an "interview" for seeking support from the US for the elections early next year.

Lai has openly branded himself as a pragmatic advocate for "Taiwan independence", and will reportedly stop in the US on his way to and from Paraguay as part of a seven-day trip starting on Saturday. Last month he claimed "entering the White House" as his aim, and the US immediately sought clarification from him.

Ji said Lai's extreme stance over the Taiwan question has raised concerns over its potential impact on cross-Strait relations and also on the US' Taiwan policies.

"As a result, this time Lai aims at reducing the US' concerns about him and even hopes to gain more favor from the US so as to score points for his future elections," he said.

This transit visit occurs amid the intensifying strategic competition between China and the US, Ji said, adding that, by allowing the transit, the US is seen as hollowing its one-China policy once again, and it's justified for China to doubt US' sincerity in maintaining a positive relationship with Beijing.

However, Ji predicted the US will remain cautious about Lai's pro-independence attempts as a series of countermeasures from Beijing following former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August last year will likely force the US to handle Lai with greater caution.

Therefore, while some pro-Taiwan US lawmakers may show enthusiasm toward the visit, it is expected that the Biden administration will handle it prudently, even scrutinizing his words and actions, he said.

"For Lai, who champions 'Taiwan independence', this would undoubtedly be an embarrassing situation as the US tests his loyalty," he added.

Ji said that, with the upcoming Taiwan regional leader election and the US presidential election in the end of next year, the Taiwan question is expected to become a focal point of political campaigns, adding greater uncertainty to the situation of the Taiwan Strait.

Under these circumstances, Beijing is expected to see increased pressure in the coming months to safeguard the one-China principle, and the struggle against separatism and interference will likely intensify, he said.