China blasts US arms sale to Taiwan, President Lai’s U.S. transit
NBCNOV 2024
Taiwan's President Lai Stops Over in Hawaii
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Above: Taiwanese Pres. Lai Ching-te arrives in Honolulu on Nov. 30, 2024. Image copyright: Ronen Zilberman/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
The transit stop demonstrates Taiwan's diplomatic resilience and partnership with democratic allies, while promoting regional peace and stability. The warm reception in Hawaii and continued US arms support affirm Taiwan's legitimate right to international engagement and self-defense.
Pro-China narrative
The US arrangement of Lai's transit and arms sales severely violated China's sovereignty, sent the wrong signals to Taiwan's independence forces, and threatened peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. These actions breach the one-China principle, as well as previous US commitments.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 61% chance that the US will respond with military force if China invades Taiwan before Jan. 1, 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
