China strongly condemned the United States allowing Taiwan President Lai Ching-te to visit Hawaii, and Beijing pledged to take "firm countermeasures" against US arms sales to Taiwan.

This is the first stop on the Taiwanese leader's tour of a number of Pacific regions, a trip that he presents as the beginning of a "new democratic era" but which angers Beijing.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement that his country strongly condemns the United States’ organization of the “crossing” of Lai, and that it has submitted an official protest in this regard to Washington.

He stressed that "China will closely monitor the development of the situation and take resolute and effective measures to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

China considers Taiwan - which is self-governing - part of its territory and opposes any international recognition of this island or considering it a sovereign state.

Lai is making his first trip abroad since he took office last May, and will visit the American islands of Hawaii and Guam, along with three allied countries in the Pacific Ocean: the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau.

In a speech before his departure, Lai said that the tour “marks the beginning of a new era of values-based democracy,” thanking the US government for its “help in making this journey smooth.”

Arms sales to Taiwan...
In addition to the Taiwanese president’s tour, it appears that the United States announced on Friday that it had agreed to a deal with Taiwan to sell spare parts for F-16 aircraft and radar systems valued at $385 million. - It has angered China.

On Sunday, Beijing expressed its “firm opposition” and “denounced” the United States’ approval of these sales to Taiwan.

In a separate statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the United States to “immediately stop arming Taiwan or encouraging and supporting forces that seek Taiwan independence and want to strengthen its army to achieve this.”

The statement added that China will take “strong and resolute countermeasures” to defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

He also stressed that these sales represent a “serious violation” of China’s sovereignty, noting that Beijing has made “stern representations” to Washington regarding this issue.

The US State Department had approved the aforementioned deal, while the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency submitted the required notification to Congress on Friday.

The United States does not recognize Taiwan as a state, but it nonetheless provides significant military aid, which China opposes, accusing Washington of interfering in its affairs.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory, and has not been able to reunify it since 1949. Despite its “preference for peaceful reunification,” it has not abandoned the principle of using military force, and regularly sends warships and fighter planes around this island.