Hawaii was Lai's first stop, before continuing to "official" visits to diplomatic allies the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, which are among 12 remaining countries that recognize Taiwan. He is due to pass through the US island territory of Guam before returning home.

China warned the Biden administration to tread cautiously on the issue of Taiwan after President Lai Ching-te landed in Hawaii on his first stopover on US soil.

The State Department spokesperson said every democratically elected Taiwan president had transited the United States, with Taiwan's former President Tsai Ing-wen making seven over