Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te gestures before an informal private discussion during a transit stopover in Hawaii en route to visit several Pacific Islands, at the East-West Center, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
East-West Center President Suzanne Vares-Lum gives a welcoming speech before a private discussion with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the East-West Center, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, center, greets people at the Kahala Hotel and Resort Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, left, presents a gift to East-West Center President Suzanne Vares-Lum at the East-West Center, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te looks on before an informal private discussion during a transit stopover in Hawaii en route to visit several Pacific Islands, at the East-West Center, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrives at the East-West Center for an informal private discussion during a transit stopover in Hawaii en route to visit several Pacific Islands, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is pictured before an informal private discussion during a transit stopover in Hawaii en route to visit several Pacific Islands, at the East-West Center, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, center, greets people at the Kahala Hotel and Resort Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrives at the East-West Center for an informal private discussion during a transit stopover in Hawaii en route to visit several Pacific Islands, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrives at the East-West Center for an informal private discussion during a transit stopover in Hawaii en route to visit several Pacific Islands, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)
A woman waves Taiwanese and American flags as the Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrives at the Kahala Hotel and Resort Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)