Reuters that China could use the transit visit as an excuse to launch military drills near Taiwan next week. It also wants to use the stopovers as a pretext for intimidating voters ahead of elections in January next year.
Lai, who is the front-runner for next year's Presidential election is particularly disliked by China. In the past, he has described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence." However, Lai has claimed during the election campaign that he does not want to change the status quo.
Biden administration wants to keep Lai's visit low-profile in order to avoid tensions before Taiwan's elections while preserving the recent momentum in US engagements with China, Reuters reported. (With inputs from Reuters)
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