Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te’s stopovers in Hawaii and Guam during his first overseas visit to Taiwan’s Pacific diplomatic allies have signalled a Taiwan-US alliance to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative,

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s brief stop in Hawaii may have appeared understated – no formal US reception, no grand speeches – but its implications extend far beyond floral wreaths and banquets.

While in the U.S. for a transit, Lai plans to visit the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, explore a war memorial and a museum dedicated to Pacific Island history and attend a di