Beijing sees ulterior motive in Tsai's plan to stop in US on way to Central America

China's Foreign Ministry said Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's planned transit stop in the United States carries "ulterior political intentions", while an expert warned that playing the Taiwan card could be counterproductive.

Asked to comment on Beijing's call for the US to prevent Tsai from passing through the country next month en route to her planned visit to Central America, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that "transit diplomacy" is among the "petty moves" employed by Taiwan's leader, whose "ulterior political intentions are clear for all to see".