Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te arrived Saturday in Hawaii to begin a two-day transit in the U.S. as part of a trip to the South Pacific, his first since assuming office. He was greeted at a Honolulu hotel by cheering supporters who put festive leis around his neck.

While in the U.S. for a transit, Lai plans to visit the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, explore a war memorial and a museum dedicated to Pacific Island history and attend a di

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.