Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived on an official visit to the Marshall Islands on Tuesday, which he said was the first country he had visited since taking office in May, as part of a Pacific tour of diplomatic allies.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te toured the Marshall Islands on Tuesday, after visiting the United States on the first stop of a Pacific trip that has angered Chinese leaders. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine expressed her government's commitment to "remain a staunch ally" of Taiwan,

Lai's first overseas trip since taking office in May began with a two-day visit to the US state of Hawaii where he discussed "China's military threats" toward Taiwan during a call with US Representative Nancy Pelosi, and met with US government officials and members of Congress.