Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrived in the Marshall Islands on Tuesday after visiting the United States on the first stop of a Pacific tour that has angered Chinese leaders.
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine extended to Lai a "very warm welcome" after his arrival in the capital Majuro.
"Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share a traditional Austronesian culture as well as the values of freedom and democracy," Lai said in his response, speaking through an interpreter.
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