TAOYUAN, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan is a key force for promoting global peace and stability, President Lai Ching-te said as he left for Hawaii on Saturday as part of a Pacific tour, thanking the United States for allowing him to stop over.

China's military on Thursday vowed to defeat all attempts at secessionism and urged the United States not to send the wrong signals on Taiwan independence, ahead of a trip by Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te to Hawaii as part of a Pacific tour.

BEIJING >> China urged the United States today to exercise the “utmost caution” on relations with democratically governed Taiwan, ahead of a sensitive trip its President Lai Ching-te starts this week to both Hawaii and Guam,

China urged the United States on Friday to exercise the "utmost caution" on relations with democratically-governed Taiwan, ahead of a sensitive trip its President Lai Ching-te starts this week to both Hawaii and Guam,

Analysts say Taiwan can use Lai’s trip to show its commitment to its Pacific allies and Taipei can contribute to the fight against climate change in the Pacific region

The Chinese army is increasing its presence around Taiwan ahead of President Lai Ching-te's visit to Pacific nations. This is yet another instance of the Chinese army provocation during Taiwan's president's significant diplomatic visits.