"The trip will consolidate relations with the three diplomatic partners, which areimportant in lending a voice to Taiwan in world organizations such as the UnitedNations, where the country has been excluded," said Ian Tsung-yen Chen,professor and director at the Institute of Political Science at National Sun Yat-sen University. "Visiting formal partners is essentially about maintaining anddefending Taiwan's international space."
He said Guam is a "safe and en route" choice, while a stopover in Hawaii wouldrepresent a "step up" for Lai.
"Taiwan's government can also sound out the views and positions of theincoming administration under Trump, and pave the way for more transit andengagement in the future," Chen added.