Beijing urges US not to allow stopover by Taiwan president

China urged the US on Tuesday not to allow Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen to transit its territory when she visits Belize and Paraguay next month, Reuters reports. The move adds to tension between Beijing and Washington that has worsened amid a trade war. Tsai will travel to and from its two diplomatic allies via the US, standard procedure for visits by Taiwanese presidents to Latin America. Taiwan’s Presidential Office said Tsai would be stopping off in Los Angeles and Houston. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing had already lodged solemn representations with Washington about the planned transits. “We have consistently resolutely opposed the US or other countries with which China has diplomatic relations arranging this kind of transit,” Geng said. China urged Washington “not to allow the transit of the leader of the Taiwan region, and not send any wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces,” according to the statement.