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☆ Airlines That Offer 'Stopover' Programs, Some With Free Hotels
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Airlines capitalize on this trend with "stopover" programs, some even offering free hotels and food. Airlines have jumped on this growing trend with built-in "stopover" programs, which can come with free or discounted hotels, excursions, transportation, and food at the layover destination. Essentially, you can't intentionally book a longer layover to quality for the free stopover hotel. Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty ImagesSingapore Airlines' stopover program is available via the multi-city tool, similar to other carriers, where travelers can add hotels, transfers, and activities. Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTurkish Airlines' stopover program gives economy travelers a one-night free hotel stay and business flyers a two-night free stay if the period between their connecting flights in Istanbul exceeds 20 hours.

Persons: —, Robert Smith, Markus Mainka, Liang Xu, Nicolas Economou, Thomas Mukoya, Suparat, Finnair, Shutterstock Icelandair, Marcio Rodrigo Machado, Bauer, Griffin, Alexi Rosenfeld, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, Massimo Insabato, It's, Matheus Organizations: Service, Airlines, Travelers, An Air Canada Boeing, Getty Images Air, Air France, KLM Air France, KLM, Air, China Southern Airlines, China Southern Airlines Airbus, Getty Images China Southern Airlines, Copa Airlines AP Copa Airlines, Copa, Emirates, Emirates Airbus, Getty Images Emirates, Dubai Connect, Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines, Reuters Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Airbus, Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways Fiji Airways, Shutterstock Fiji Airways, Iberia Airbus, Japan, Japan Airlines Boeing, Japan Airlines, Latam Airlines Boeing, Latam Airlines, Hotels, An Oman Air, Getty Images Oman Air, Qantas, Getty, JAL, Oneworld, Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Boeing, Getty Images Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines Royal Jordanian Airlines Boeing, Getty Images Royal Jordanian Airlines, Air Lines, Swiss International Air Lines Airbus, Getty Images Swiss, Singapore Airlines, Airbus, Getty Images Singapore Airlines, Portugal, TAP Air Portugal Airbus, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Turkish Airlines Airbus, Getty Images Turkish Airlines Locations: Getty Images Air Canada, Canada, Air France, Xinhua, Panama, Panama City, Emirates, Dubai, UAE, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, Helsinki, Iberia, Iberia Airbus Iberia, Madrid, Icelandair, Reykjavik, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, São Paulo, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Manaus, Curitiba, Belem, Oman, Muscat, layover, Bangkok, San Francisco, AFP, Switzerland, Singapore, Lisbon, Porto, Portuguese, Azores, Madeira, Istanbul

☆ In ‘This Train,’ photographer Justine Kurland and her son spend six years on the road
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Justine KurlandCasper previously appeared in a handful of images in "Highway Kind," Kurland's book published in 2016. “There’s certain kinds of ideas of normalcy (in) family life that, when you divert… it makes things significantly more complicated,” Kurland said. Casper became fascinated by trains, Kurland said, and he would often lead her to them. Justine KurlandLiving off irregular paychecks, Kurland and Casper would sometimes have to “hunker down” at campsites until a deposit came through. As “This Train” details, as much as the book is about their relationship, there’s other darker narratives implicit in Kurland’s images.

Persons: Justine Kurland’s, Kurland, Casper, “ Casper, ”, Justine Kurland, she’d, ” Kurland, “, Justine Kurland Casper, Justine Kurland Kurland, Casper’s, Lily Cho, I’m Organizations: CNN, Mack Books Locations: stopovers, Casper

☆ Seven Seas Splendor: World cruise offers swanky suite for $1.7 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The cruise line is pitching this 2027 voyage as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” on board its Seven Seas Splendor liner. The living room area of the Regent Suite, available for $1.7 million on Regent Seven Seas Cruises' upcoming 2027 world cruise. Onboard decadenceWhether guests opt for the Regent Suite or not, prospective Regent Seven Seas Cruises travelers should expect onboard decadence. Cruise line president DeMarco told CNN Travel that the fact Regent Seven Seas’ world cruise is “truly all-inclusive” means there’s “value” associated with these high costs. The cruise line is currently operating a sold-out 2024 world cruise on board its Seven Seas Mariner cruise ship, while its 2025 world cruise also sold out in what Regent Seven Seas’ claimed was “record time.” The cruise line’s 2026 world voyage still has suites available at time of writing.

Persons: CNN —, Andrea DeMarco, there’s, DeMarco, Joan Miró, Picasso, filet mignon Organizations: CNN, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, CNN Travel, Regent, Regent Seven, Suite, Regent Seven Seas, Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Seven Seas, Seven Locations: Bali , Sydney, Mumbai

☆ An ex-flight attendant who flew with 2 US airlines shares ways travelers can save money on flights — without skiplagging
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Travel expert Bobby Laurie shared two ways travelers can save money on airfare. Laurie suggested travelers search for the cheapest upgrades and not just the cheapest overall fare. Laurie said travelers should avoid searching their flights on the same search engine, device, or IP network as many airlines have a dynamic pricing strategy. I've seen many times situations where first class or premium economy was cheaper than the coach ticket," Laurie said. Laurie said travelers should avoid spending extra for a refundable fare when booking with major US airlines.

Persons: Bobby Laurie, Laurie, —, who've, I've Organizations: Service, International Trade Administration, US Airways, Virgin America Locations: skiplagging

☆ Private jet version of Boeing’s 777X gets CelestialSTAR luxury cabin concept
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That’s the centerpiece of Lufthansa Technik’s new cabin design for the upcoming BBJ 777-9 — the private jet version of Boeing’s new widebody aircraft, the 777X. “It’s a combination between a Middle Eastern touch and a very modern, sleek design,” says Hassan Gasim, a sales director at Lufthansa Technik. A Boeing 777-X performing a flight demonstration at the Dubai Airshow. They also come with high environmental costs, as private jets emit 10 times more pollutants than commercial planes per passenger. The Boeing 777X was one of the stars of the Dubai Airshow, where it performed a flight demonstration.

Persons: ”, Hassan Gasim, Gasim, it’s, we’ve, Giuseppe Cacace, Clemens Schrettl, Schrettl, Gary Crichlow, “, Syed Zaidi, Zaidi Organizations: CNN, Lufthansa, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik, Dubai Airshow, Technik, Getty, United, United Arab Emirates, Boeing Business Jet, Emirates airline, Airbus Locations: AFP, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Dubai

☆ E-Flight Challenge pitched a car against a plane -- and the car won
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Miquel Ros | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Members of the E-Flight Challenge team lined up to watch the battery-powered airplane gracefully descend on the island of Norderney, just off the northwest coast of Germany. The long road ahead for electric aviationYou could say that the E-Flight Challenge takes its inspiration from the early days of aviation. The Elektra Trainer used in the E-Flight Challenge, for example, can carry a maximum of two people. Miquel RosIn this context, the E-flight Challenge served as an illustration of the challenges of electric flight – but also of its promise. The progress compared to just three years ago has been astonishing!” explains Morell Westermann, one of the E-Flight Challenge initiators.

Persons: Louis, Charles Lindbergh’s, Heart Aerospace –, –, Miquel Ros Italy’s Tecnam, China’s, Cuberg, ” Robin Riedel, Riedel, Norbert Werle, Tesla, Werle, ”, John Langford, Miquel Ros, Morell Westermann, Westermann Organizations: CNN, Lucid Motors Air, Louis Blériot’s, Channel, Heart Aerospace, United Airlines, Royce, Norwegian, Widerøe, Airbus, Boeing, Aerospace, McKinsey, Alamy, “ Aircraft, Lucid Motors Locations: Norderney, Germany, Gelnhausen, Frankfurt, Norway, Swedish, California, Berlin, The Virginia, “, Swiss

☆ Price hikes, hectic embassy guidelines and stranded pets: People struggle to find ways out of Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The first concern for those looking to leave Israel was when departing flights would resume, followed by the frustrations of actually booking the flight. Documents to travel with pets were not being processed to any country but the United States, she told CNN, but flight prices were skyrocketing into the thousands. “As we were boarding — because it was so manic — 10 or so people just went past the crew member,” they told CNN. Others looking to leave Israel detailed hearing misinformation about rocket strikes destroying the airport. Those people who are from the embassy that are at the airport, they’re super tired, and they’re really, really trying their best,” the Polish tourist told CNN.

Persons: ‘, ’ ” Jillian, Jillian, “, ”, ’, Emma Gottlieb, Gottlieb, Ben Gurion, Rachel Hammer, Hammer, ” Hammer, ” Milo Ferron, doesn’t, they’re, Biden, John Kirby, Floridians, Ron DeSantis, ” Jillian Organizations: New, New York CNN — Foreign, Ben Gurion International Airport, CNN, America ”, British Airways, Danish, Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US, — United, Delta, National Security, Emergency Management Locations: New York, Israel, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, United States, Los Angeles , New York, London, Europe, America, British, New Mexico, Cyprus, “, Denmark, Polish, Greece, Netherlands, Europe —, Haifa, Florida’s

☆ US trip pays off for Taiwan VP with China drills more 'thunder than rain'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China has a particular dislike of Lai, the frontrunner in polls ahead of January's presidential election, due to his previous comments about being a "worker for Taiwan independence". In his public events he talked about peace and dialogue, though he also said that Taiwan would not back down in the face of threats. "These drills were a lot of thunder, but less rain." 'NO SURPRISES'Lo Chih-cheng, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said Lai's trip was also about the broader process of showing him to the United States as a steady and trustworthy leader. China could take other, trade-related, steps to punish Taiwan, having previously stopped Taiwanese fruit and fish imports.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Ma Chen, Shen Dingli, Lai Ching, Lo Chih, cheng, Lo, Ko Wen, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Liberation Army, National Defence University, United States, Relations, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwanese Public, National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate, of Political, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, U.S, United, Shanghai, Taipei, Beijing, Washington, Asia

☆ Taiwan details China drills, VP says election not China's to call
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai waves at Taoyuan International Airport following his trip to the United States and Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 18, 2023. "My position is that Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China. China has demanded that Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China", but it has refused. LOWER-KEY DRILLSChina's Saturday drills were much more low-key than two rounds of war games around Taiwan last August and again in April this year. Taiwan's military also released pictures of one of its fighter jets taking off and a pilot checking a missile underneath an aircraft.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Su, It's, That's, Taiwan's, Alexander Neill, Neill, lambasting Lai, Tian Dan, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, James Pomfret, William Mallard, Kim Coghill, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Democratic Progressive Party, APEC, Hawaii's, Eastern Theatre Command, Sunday, Taiwan, State Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: United States, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, New York, People's Republic of China, San Francisco, Singapore, U.S, Hong Kong

☆ China Launches Drills Near Taiwan After Vice President’s U.S. Stopovers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Joyu Wang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones Locations: asia, taiwan

☆ Explainer: Why is China so angry about the Taiwan vice president's US trip?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here are the key issues in Taiwan-U.S., China-U.S. and Taiwan-China relations, and why China is so upset about Lai's visit to the United States. Taiwan's official name continues to be the Republic of China, though these days the government often stylises it as the Republic of China (Taiwan). China views Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as a separatist and has rebuffed repeated calls from her for talks. She says the Republic of China and People's Republic of China are "not subordinate" to each other. Beijing says Tsai must accept that both China and Taiwan are part of "one China".

Persons: William Lai, Xi Jinping, Mao Zedong's, LAI, Lai, Joe Biden, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Kim Coghill Organizations: Lotte, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, CHINA, Communist Party, Democratic, STATES, United States, Taiwan Relations, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, Rights TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Taipei, United States, Paraguay, People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Beijing, TAIWAN, United, Washington, TAIPEI, BEIJING

☆ China launches drills in angry response to Taiwan vice president's trip to U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. says it's closely monitoring China's drills around Taiwan after Beijing began three days of military exercises around the island. Greg Baker | AFP | Getty ImagesChina launched military drills around Taiwan on Saturday as a "serious warning" to separatist forces in an angry but widely expected response to Vice President William Lai's visit to the United States, drawing condemnation from Taipei. Taiwan's government strongly condemned the drills, with the defense ministry saying it had the ability, determination, and confidence to ensure national security. "The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign country and has a legitimate and legal right to conduct normal diplomatic interactions with friendly countries," it added in a statement, using the island's formal name. Taiwan's defense ministry released a short video of undated footage showing Taiwanese forces at sea, on city streets and across the countryside.

Persons: Greg Baker, William Lai's, Joseph Wu, Joe Biden Organizations: PLA Navy, Beijing, AFP, Getty Images China, Eastern Theatre Command, Mainland Affairs Council, U.S, Taiwan Locations: Taiwan, China's, Fujian, U.S, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Beijing, Republic of China, South Korea, Japan

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite the strong objections of the island's government. "This is a serious warning against Taiwan independence separatist forces colluding with external forces to provoke," it said. China has a particular dislike of Lai for his previous comments that he was a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". The United States, like most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan but is its strongest international backer, bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. China has over the past three years ramped up military pressure on Taiwan, including sending military aircraft and warships near the island.

Persons: William Lai, Nancy Pelosi, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Casey Hall, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, William Mallard Organizations: Joint Staff Office, Defense Ministry of Japan, Reuters, Eastern Theatre Command, U.S . House, U.S, Beijing, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Okinawa, Miyako, SHANGHAI, TAIPEI, Taiwan, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Taipei, California, South, Asuncion

☆ Taiwan vice president returns from sensitive visit to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Fabian Hamacher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai speaks to the media upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport as he returns from a trip to the United States and Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAOYUAN, Taiwan, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Taiwan Vice President William Lai returned on Friday from a sensitive visit to the United States, thanking the Taiwanese people for supporting a trip he said showed the island's "self confidence" venturing into the international community. "Because of everyone's hard work, Taiwan's power is stronger and stronger, and it showed the international community that Taiwan is a force for good, that the international community really pays great attention to Taiwan," he said. China claims Taiwan as its territory and denounced the transit stops in the U.S., calling Lai a separatist and a "troublemaker". "Thank you for your contributions to the country and to society," he said, "allowing Taiwan to very progressively, self confidently and respectfully go into the international community, and winning the support of the international community."

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Tsai Ing, Fabian Hamacher, Chang, Kim, Ben Blanchard, David Gregorio, Lincoln Organizations: Taoyuan International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, American Institute, U.S, Russian, Pacific, East China Seas, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, United States, Paraguay, Taiwan, Rights TAOYUAN, China, U.S, New York, San Francisco, Taipei, Beijing, Okinawa, Miyako, East, Tokyo

☆ China military action to US stopover would be election interference, Taiwan VP says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai speaks during a welcome dinner in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this handout picture released on August 15, 2023. Taiwanese officials say China could launch military drills this week, using Lai's stopovers in the United States as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of an election next year and make them "fear war". China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has an particular dislike of Lai who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". China considers Taiwan to be its most sensitive and important political and diplomatic issue, and it is a constant source of Sino-U.S. friction. China says Taiwan has no right to state-to-state ties and has been trying to pick off Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai's, Li Shangfu, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Taipei's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Taiwan, Central News Agency, U.S, Chinese Defence, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, U.S, China, Paraguay, United States, January's, New York, California, Central America, York, San Francisco, Taipei, Moscow, Asuncion, Honduras, Beijing

☆ China's defense minister Li Shangfu warns against 'playing with fire' on Taiwan during Russia meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —China’s defense minister Li Shangfu on Tuesday warned against “playing with fire” when it comes to Taiwan in a veiled jab at the United States as he addressed a security conference in Russia. Speaking at the Moscow Conference on International Security, Li said attempts to “use Taiwan to contain China,” would “surely end in failure,” according to state-run news agency Xinhua. China’s ruling Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan and has vowed to take control of it, by force if necessary. The visit is Li’s second to Russia since assuming his role as defense chief earlier this year. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has also drawn increased attention to Taiwan as a potential security flashpoint in Asia.

Persons: CNN —, Li Shangfu, “, Li, China’s, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Sputnik, Sergei Shoigu, William Lai, Lai, ” Organizations: CNN, Moscow Conference, International Security, Xinhua, Communist Party, Washington, Senior, US, Taiwan Locations: Taiwan, United States, Russia, China, Ukraine, Taipei, Moscow, Belarus, ”, Iran, Myanmar, Beijing, “, Xinhua, Russian, Alaska, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Paraguay, New York, Asia

☆ Taiwan sees no Chinese military response to VP's US trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Yimou Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoTAIPEI, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it has not seen large-scale exercises or any other action by the Chinese military near the island after China condemned a brief U.S. visit by Taiwan Vice President William Lai. When asked at a press conference about Chinese military activity in response to Lai's trip, defence ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang, said it was the responsibility of the armed forces to track any Chinese activities near Taiwan. However, Taiwan had not seen any "relatively large-scale" drills or actions by China's military, he said. Beijing has launched almost daily military incursions into Taiwan's air defence zone in recent years seeking to pressure Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty. Both Taiwan and the United States are aiming for Lai's U.S. stop-overs to be as low-key as possible, saying that such transits are routine.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Lai, Lai, Sun Li, Sun, Su, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Taiwan Premier Chen Chien, jen, Chen, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Taiwan, Lai's U.S, U.S, Chinese Communist Party, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, U.S, William Lai . China, Paraguay, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, San Francisco, California, United States, New York, Taiwan Premier, Lai's

☆ Taiwan will not back down to threats, Taiwan VP says on US trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Taiwan's Vice President William Lai speaks during a luncheon in New York City, New York, U.S., in this handout picture released on August 14, 2023. Lai told a supporters lunch in New York on Sunday that "if Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful", according to Taiwan's presidential office. China considers Taiwan its most important diplomatic issue, and is a constant source of friction between Beijing and Washington, which is the island's most important international backer and arms supplier. Lai's speech was attended by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, a U.S. government-run non-profit that carries out unofficial relations with Taiwan. China carried out war games around Taiwan in April after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen returned from California where she met U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while also on a transit on her way back from Central America.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Ingrid Larson, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS, American Institute, U.S, Eastern Theatre Command, Liberation Army, Taiwan, Central America, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S, Taiwan, REUTERS TAIPEI, Beijing, China, United States, Paraguay, San Francisco, New York, Washington, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, Taipei, California, Central

☆ Taiwan will not back down to threats, its vice president says on U.S. trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan will not be afraid nor back down in the face of authoritarian threats, the island's vice president told supporters on a U.S. visit that Beijing has condemned, while reiterating a willingness to talk to China. William Lai, also frontrunner to be Taiwan's next president at January elections, is in the United States on what is officially a transit stop on his way to Paraguay for the inauguration of its new president. Taiwan and the United States both say the stopovers, including one in San Francisco on the way back, are routine, but China has denounced them and called Lai a separatist "troublemaker." Lai told a supporters lunch in New York on Sunday that "if Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful," according to Taiwan's presidential office. "No matter how great the threat of authoritarianism is to Taiwan, we absolutely will not be scared nor cower, we will uphold the values of democracy and freedom," he said.

Persons: William Lai, Lai Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, U.S, Beijing, China, United States, Paraguay, San Francisco, New York

CNN —Taiwan will never back down in the face of growing threats from China, the island’s vice president and presidential hopeful said Sunday during a transit through the United States, defying Beijing’s condemnation of his trip. William Lai, a front-runner in Taiwan’s presidential race in January, made a stop in New York en route to Paraguay, where he will attend the inauguration of its new president Tuesday. “When Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, and when there is peace on the Taiwan Strait, there will be world peace,” Lai said, according to Taiwan’s presidential office. In March, Taiwan’s President Tsai transited in California and met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, despite warnings and threats from Beijing. Following Tsai’s trip, China launched three days of live-fire military drills around Taiwan.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Taiwan’s, ” Lai, ”, Xi Jinping, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Xi, “, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, US, Democratic Progressive Party, Harvard, Kuomintang, China’s Communist Party, Taiwan’s Locations: Taiwan, China, United States, New York, Paraguay, “, Taiwan Strait, ”, San Francisco, Beijing, California

☆ China condemns visit of 'troublemaker' Taiwan VP to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Ryan Woo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly denounced Lai's trip, which includes another stopover in San Francisco on Wednesday on his way back to Taipei. In a statement issued shortly after Lai landed in New York on a scheduled flight from Taipei, China's foreign ministry said it opposed any form of visit by "Taiwan independence separatists" to the United States. "Lai stubbornly adheres to the separatist position of Taiwan independence and is a troublemaker through and through," the ministry said. China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan over the past three years, seeking to force the island into accepting Beijing's sovereignty. In April, China staged war games around Taiwan in an angry response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meeting U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California on a stopover on the way back to Taipei following her visit to Central America.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Lai's, Washington's, Laura Rosenberger, Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Ryan Woo, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard, Jamie Freed Organizations: Taoyuan International Airport, REUTERS, Carlos Garcia Rawlins BEIJING, Taiwan, U.S, American Institute, Eastern Theatre Command, Liberation Army, Chinese Foreign, Central America, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, United States, New York, Paraguay, Taiwan, U.S, Beijing, China, San Francisco, Taipei, Taiwan Strait, Washington, California, Central

CNN —China’s foreign ministry on Sunday condemned the transit of Taiwan’s vice president and presidential candidate William Lai through the United States, calling him a “troublemaker through and through.”Lai arrived in New York on Saturday en route to Paraguay where he will attend the inauguration of Paraguayan President Santiago Pena on August 15. Paraguay is Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in South America. Shortly after Lai’s arrival, China’s foreign ministry said it “firmly opposes” any official interaction between the US and Taiwan and any “‘Taiwan independence’ separatists to the US.”“China deplores and strongly condemns the US decision to arrange the so-called ‘stopover,’” it said in a statement. “Lai clings stubbornly to the separatist position for ‘Taiwan independence’. Lai is due to transit through San Francisco on August 16 on his return to Taipei, Taiwan’s vice foreign minister Alexander Yui said during a media briefing earlier this month.

Persons: CNN —, William Lai, ” Lai, Santiago Pena, Lai, ”, ‘, China’s, “, “ Lai, China ”, Alexander Yui Organizations: CNN, Paraguayan, US, Communist Party, Taiwan, ’ Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, South America, China, Taiwan, ”, Lai, San Francisco, Taipei

☆ Taiwan vice president leaves on sensitive trip to United States
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Fabian Hamacher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Taiwan's Vice President William Lai arrives at Taoyuan International Airport before his departure to the United States for a stopover in New York on his way to Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 12, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia RawlinsTAOYUAN, Taiwan, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan Vice President William Lai left on Saturday for a sensitive trip to the United States, which China has condemned and Taiwanese officials fear could prompt more Chinese military activity around the democratically governed island. Lai, the front-runner to become Taiwan's president in elections in January, is officially making only transit stops in the United States on his way to and from Paraguay for the swearing in of its president. The United States has not announced who may be going to Paraguay next week. Neither Taiwan nor the United States has given exact details about his U.S. schedule, and both are aiming to keep that part low key, according to officials briefed on the trip.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Kamala Harris, Laura Rosenberger, Fabian Hamcher, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Taoyuan International Airport, REUTERS, Taiwan, U.S, United, American Institute, AIT, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, United States, New York, Paraguay, Taiwan, Carlos Garcia Rawlins TAOYUAN, China, Lai, Taipei, Washington, Beijing, U.S, Honduras, Virginia, San Francisco

☆ Taiwan vice president to leave for sensitive trip to U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's William Lai speaks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Taipei on September 5, 2017. Taiwan Vice President William Lai leaves on Saturday for a sensitive trip to the United States, which China has condemned and Taiwanese officials fear could prompt more Chinese military activity around the democratically governed island. Lai, the front-runner to become Taiwan's president in elections in January, is officially making only transit stops in the United States on his way to and from Paraguay for the swearing in of its president. Neither Taiwan nor the United States have given exact details about his U.S. schedule. Lai went to Honduras last year for the inauguration of its president and had a brief though symbolic chat while there with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Laura Rosenberger, Kamala Harris Organizations: Taiwan, American Institute, AIT, U.S Locations: Taipei, United States, China, Lai, Paraguay, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, New York, Virginia, U.S, San Francisco, Honduras

☆ Taiwan vice president to leave for sensitive trip to United States
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan Vice President William Lai leaves on Saturday for a sensitive trip to the United States, which China has condemned and Taiwanese officials fear could prompt more Chinese military activity around the democratically governed island. Lai, the front-runner to become Taiwan's president in elections in January, is officially making only transit stops in the United States on his way to and from Paraguay for the swearing in of its president. Beijing particularly dislikes Lai, who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". Neither Taiwan nor the United States have given exact details about his U.S. schedule. Lai went to Honduras last year for the inauguration of its president and had a brief though symbolic chat while there with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Laura Rosenberger, Kamala Harris, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, William Mallard Organizations: Taiwan, American Institute, AIT, U.S, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, United States, China, Lai, Paraguay, Taipei, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, New York, Virginia, U.S, San Francisco, Honduras

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