Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called on for fellow democracies to unite against authoritarianism to safeguard peace in the region, speaking while on a visit to the U.S. territory of Guam which is home to a major military base.

Lai arrived in Guam late on Wednesday on what is officially only a one-night stopover as part of a tour of three Pacific island countries which maintain formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan.

China, whose military operates around Taiwan on a daily basis, has condemned the United States for allowing his transits, which included two days in Hawaii at the start of the trip.

Addressing reporters at the residence of Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, with the governor standing by his side, Lai mentioned the shared Austronesian roots between Taiwan’s indigenous people and Guam’s.

“Taiwan and Guam are like family. And we also are like minded partners,” he said, with a Taiwan flag behind him in comments carried live on Taiwan television stations.

“In the face of authoritarian expansionism all like minded countries and regions must unite and collaborate to safeguard democracy, peace and prosperity in the Indo Pacific region,” Lai added.

“Taiwan and Guam are both situated in the First Island Chain. Moving forward we must work closer together and stand side by side to safeguard peace and stability in the Indo Pacific region.”

The First Island Chain is a collection of archipelagos running roughly from Indonesia in an arc northeast to Japan, encompassing the South China Sea and East China Sea.

Guerrero thanked Taiwan for the resumption of direct flights from Taipei to Guam and other areas of cooperation.

“The opportunities for collaboration are limitless,” she said.

Unusually, Taiwan’s national anthem was played after the U.S. one before Lai and the governor addressed the media.

The United States, like most countries, does not officially recognise Taiwan’s government, though is its strongest international backer and main source of weapons.

Lai will leave for Palau later on Thursday before returning to Taiwan late on Friday.

Lai and his government reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, and say they have a right to travel and engage with the rest of the world. China says Taiwan is one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties.