Taiwan president’s visit to Guam stokes fears of being targeted by China

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Guam to strengthen ties has raised residents’ fears of the U.S. territory being further targeted in escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Lai is on his first overseas tour since being elected in May, choosing to visit three Pacific nations – Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau – that still maintain diplomatic relations with Taipei. He has also made a stopover in Hawaii.

China considers Taiwan a renegade province and responded angrily to news of Lai’s trip, condemning “any form of official interaction” or “U.S. connivance and support for ‘Taiwan independence’” last week.

Washington does not formally recognize Taiwan’s government – despite being its staunchest international ally and arms supplier – and played down Lai’s “unofficial” visit. 

Ahead of his arrival in Guam on Wednesday, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said it was “an honor” to host Lai, sentiments echoed by the territory’s delegate to U.S. Congress James Moylan. 

“While I recognize the regional concerns, with threats placed by the (People’s Republic of China), we must acknowledge the decades-long relationship between Guam and Taiwan in many aspects,” Moylan told BenarNews.

Residents in the U.S. territory – currently seeking U.N.-supervised decolonization – told BenarNews they feared being collateral damage in any confrontation between the superpowers.

“It’s frightening as it causes us to be right in the scopes of China,” Talofofo resident Debbie Quinata said.

“Our security is already at risk because of the U.S. military build-up and presence, the egging-on with the welcomed visit is pushing us further into being the world’s most targeted community,” she told BenarNews.

“The welcoming and celebrated visit is a danger to us. The U.S. is aware of this. The governor apparently isn’t.”

Guam lies 8,000 miles from Washington and 2,500 miles from Beijing, has a population of slightly more than 150,000 and bears the nickname “tip of the spear.”

While residents are U.S. citizens, in elections they cannot vote for the president and elect a non-voting representative to Congress.

As geopolitical competition between the U.S. and China heats up in the Pacific, Guam’s significance in supporting American naval and air operations is growing. The U.S. military sees the island as an essential logistics center in the event of potential conflict over Taiwan or in the South China Sea.  

The island hosts two U.S. military bases – Andersen Air Force Base in the north and Naval Base Guam in the south – and has an economy reliant on military investments and tourism.

The U.S. military holds about 25% of Guam’s land and already deploys thousands of troops on the island, with another 5,000 Marines due to relocate from Japan’s Okinawa islands shortly.

The U.S. Department of Defense plans to spend U.S. $11 billion to upgrade military infrastructure and at least U.S. $1.5 billion to build an integrated missile defense system on the island.

Yigo resident Dave Lotz lamented that the sentiments of ordinary Guamanians were buried “in the bigger picture of geopolitics, especially since most of our elected leaders, including the governor, support the military on Guam.”

“It seems almost embarrassing the attention that this visit is getting and funny that it is labeled ‘unofficial’ while the governor has played up the forthcoming meeting,” Lotz added.

Lai and Guerrero met at Government House on Thursday and gave media statements but took no questions from journalists present.

Taiwan’s president warned of an “authoritarian expansion” in the region, without referencing Beijing.

“Moving forward, we must work closer together and stand side by side to safeguard and maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Lai said.

“Taiwan and the United States will only ever further advance our great relations and together we are good partners in defending the democracy, freedom, and prosperity for our both sides.”

Guerrero said Lai’s visit “marks a significant chapter in the relationship between our two islands” and foresaw “limitless” opportunities for future cooperation.

“Economically, our ties have been transformative. Taiwanese investments have significantly contributed to Guam's growth, creating opportunities for our people while fostering mutual prosperity,” she said.

Representatives from the neighboring U.S. territory Northern Mariana Islands – Gov. Arnold Palacios and Sen. Celina Babauta – also travelled to Guam to meet with Lai.

Palacios told the Saipan Tribune it was an opportunity to foster relations with “allies in the region” but added, “as far as being in the crosshairs of China, we already are in many ways.”

Robert Underwood, president of the Guam think-tank Pacific Center for Island Security, said Lai “should be free to transit through Guam without the drama.”

However, the former U.S. congressman believes Lai’s visit further drags Guam into the power game.

“The U.S. may be highlighting the trip in order to aggravate the PRC,” Underwood told BenarNews.

“The PRC may be giving a stronger response than usual in order to highlight their seriousness and say we can object anywhere, even on your soil.”

Edward Pingyuan Lu, a Taiwanese businessman on Guam, said Lai’s visit highlights Guam’s strategic value.

“The Taiwanese government does not really need another stopover, but it still arranged Lai’s visit to Guam. I believe the arrangement underscores Guam’s important role in the new regional geopolitical dynamics,” Lu said.

“I hope the new regional geopolitical dynamics reminds the Taiwanese government that the exchange and collaborations between Taiwan and Guam are as valuable as the relations between Taiwan and the U.S. mainland.”

Lai departed Guam on Thursday afternoon for Palau and will end his week-long trip back in Taiwan on Friday.