Taiwan Official's Visit to the US Prompts , Concerns of Renewed Tension .<br />NBC reports that Taiwan's vice president said <br />the island nation will not back down in <br />the face of authoritarian threats from China.<br />NBC reports that Taiwan's vice president said <br />the island nation will not back down in <br />the face of authoritarian threats from China.<br />The statement was made during a visit to the U.S. by <br />Taiwan's vice president, William Lai, who is currently <br />favored to become the country's next president. .<br />Lai reportedly said that his visit to the U.S. was officially <br />just a transit stop on his way to Paraguay, one of just <br />13 countries that maintain formal ties with Taiwan.<br />Despite both the U.S. and Taiwan stressing that <br />the stopovers are routine, China has denounced the<br />visit, while calling Lai a separatist "troublemaker.".<br />On August 13, Lai told supporters in New York that , "if Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan <br />Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful.".<br />On August 13, Lai told supporters in New York that , "if Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan <br />Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful.".<br />No matter how great the threat <br />of authoritarianism is to Taiwan, <br />we absolutely will not be scared <br />nor cower, we will uphold the <br />values of democracy and freedom, William Lai, Vice president of Taiwan, via NBC .<br />No matter how great the threat <br />of authoritarianism is to Taiwan, <br />we absolutely will not be scared <br />nor cower, we will uphold the <br />values of democracy and freedom, William Lai, Vice president of Taiwan, via NBC .<br />NBC reports that Taiwan remains China's top <br />diplomatic issue and has been a constant source <br />of conflict between Washington and Beijing.<br />The U.S. and Taiwan urged China <br />not to take any retaliatory action in <br />response to Lai's stopovers in the U.S.<br />Regardless, officials in Taiwan have stated <br />that China is expected to launch more <br />military drills near Taiwan later this week. .<br />Regardless, officials in Taiwan have stated <br />that China is expected to launch more <br />military drills near Taiwan later this week. .<br />In April, China carried out a series of war games near <br />Taiwan following President Tsai Ing-wen's return from a trip <br />to California for a meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.<br />In April, China carried out a series of war games near <br />Taiwan following President Tsai Ing-wen's return from a trip <br />to California for a meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
