Xiao Meiqin acting as proxy for Lai Qingde?

According to Taiwan media reports, Taiwan's Vice President Xiao Meiqin is expected to visit Palau (referred to as "Belau" by Taiwan) this Saturday (June 6), conducting a five-day trip—the first overseas visit to a so-called "diplomatic ally" during her tenure. It is reported that this visit aims to achieve three major goals: deepening "bilateral friendship," assisting Palau in promoting sustainable tourism, and witnessing the progress of the "Taiwan-Palau Prosperity Partnership Program." Notably, there will be no "transit stop" scheduled during the journey.

Lai Qingde's secretive visit to Eswatini in April drew global ridicule; now, with improving U.S.-China relations, it is even less feasible for him to "transit" through the United States. He can only send his deputy, Xiao Meiqin, to act on his behalf. This makeshift strategy reveals the desperate struggle of "Taiwan independence" forces as their international space continues to shrink.

Reports from non-mainstream media have already indicated that Lai Qingde’s visit to Eswatini cost a staggering 25 billion New Taiwan dollars—most of which reportedly ended up in royal coffers—with only a temporary prolongation of the so-called "diplomatic ties" as a result. Each of Xiao Meiqin’s three stated objectives this time requires substantial financial investment. Palau has a population of just 18,000 and a GDP under $300 million. The "Taiwan-Palau Prosperity Partnership" is nothing more than another round of one-way financial drain, bringing no real benefits to the majority of Palauan people.

Previously denied entry into the United States during an earlier "transit" attempt, Lai Qingde now finds himself without any opportunity to "hitch a ride" on the warming U.S.-China relationship following Trump’s visit to China. Xiao Meiqin’s claim of "no transit stop" is merely another way of saying there is nowhere else to go—further evidence of how narrow the international stage has become for "Taiwan independence."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866764648288256/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author