China's Disapproval of Taiwan's Presidential Front-Runner's US Visit

China criticizes the upcoming visit of Taiwan's vice president and presidential front-runner, William Lai, to the United States, viewing it as a challenge to its territorial integrity. China has lodged formal protests with the U.S. over the visit, while Taiwan maintains that it is merely a transit stop. The U.S. climate envoy, John Kerry, is currently in China for talks, aiming to restore contacts disrupted by disputes over trade, Taiwan, human rights, and territorial claims. Meanwhile, Italian luxury brand Bulgari has apologized to China for listing Taiwan as a country on its website, and Paraguay's president-elect has committed to maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan, going against the trend of Taipei's diplomatic allies switching allegiance to China.