This handout photo taken and released on Friday, December 6, 2024 by the Taiwan Presidential office shows Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te speaking during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new "one-stop" government services building in Palau that Taiwan helped fund. (Photo by Handout / Taiwan Presidential Office / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP): Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te called on China to "open its arms rather than raise its fists” as he wrapped up his first overseas tour since taking office in May.
His remarks at a press conference Friday in Palau, a Pacific Island nation, came in response to widespread speculation that China will hold military drills around Taiwan in response to his trip.
