Taiwanese President William Lai departs for first overseas trip

TAOYUAN, TAIWAN - NOVEMBER 30: Taiwanese President William Lai (Lai Ching-te) delivers a speech, before departing for his first overseas trip to visit allies, at the Taoyuan International Airport, in Taoyuan, Taiwan, 30 November, 2024. The top leader's visit to three Pacific countries including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, which involves transit through the United States territories of Hawaii and Guam, has triggered responses from China, with Beijing opposing official exchanges between Washington and the self-ruled democracy and warning against Taiwanese independence. Media reports say it is expected that Beijing will stage military exercises around the island in response to Lai's trip. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)