Taiwan calls on China to halt threats ahead of expected military drills

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, right, is greeted by Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr in Palau on Thursday (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has called on China to “open its arms rather than raise its fists” as he ended his first overseas tour since taking office in May.

His remarks at a news conference Friday in Palau, a Pacific Island nation, came after widespread speculation that China will hold military drills around Taiwan in response to his trip.