China’s representative, invited to Taiwan by the mayor of Taipei, was met by dozens of protesters

According to The Associated Press, a Chinese representative was met with protests when he arrived in Taiwan on Saturday morning for a three-day visit.

Li Xiaodong, head of Shanghai’s Taiwan Affairs Bureau, was invited to the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, by newly elected pro-China Mayor Chiang Wan-an.

Dozens of protesters arrived at Songshan Airport to show their disapproval of Li’s visit to the self-governing island by chanting against Chinese efforts to undermine Taiwan’s security, democracy and independent diplomatic ties.

Representatives from pro-China minority parties were also present in the crowd to greet the official. Arrival statements were not issued by either Li or his delegation.

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Li Xiaodong (C), an official with China’s Shanghai Office of Taiwan Affairs, arrives at Songshan Airport in Taipei, Feb. 18, 2023. (SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Taiwan State Building Party leader Wang Sing-huan told protesters Li has visiting rights, but Taiwan’s “path to peace is to prepare for any possibility of war and to ally with other democracies so China doesn’t.” dares to invade us,” the AP reported.

In September, Ambassador to the Taiwan Attorney General James JK Lee said he was “very, very concerned about a possible future Chinese invasion of Taiwan”.

“China has not given up using force against Taiwan,” Lee warned, calling on world democracies to support his country.

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Pro-Taiwan independence activists display banners during a protest before Chinese Taiwan Affairs officials arrive in Taipei February 18, 2023.

A pro-Taiwan independence activist displays placards during a protest before officials from China Taiwan Affairs arrive in Taipei February 18, 2023. (SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)

The visit marks a rare point of contact between the sides as they find themselves at odds over how to proceed with their work.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory, to be conquered by force if necessary, while most Taiwanese support de facto independence while maintaining close economic and social ties with the mainland.

Taiwan’s democratic system gives local governments a great deal of latitude to act without central authority.

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Chiang Wan-an, opposition Kuomintang (KMT) mayoral candidate in Taipei, celebrates his victory in the municipal elections November 26, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Louise Delmotte/Getty Images)

Taipei recently elected Chiang Wan-an of the opposition Nationalist Party as mayor. He is a descendant of the Chiang family, who ruled in China before being exiled to Taiwan during the 1949 civil war.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.