U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday, defying warnings from Beijing against a visit that China considers as a challenge to its sovereignty.
Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official in 25 years to visit the island which Beijing claims as part of its territory. She is set to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and legislators in the self-ruled democracy.
She made the trip despite President Biden cautioning publicly that the U.S. military felt it was “not a good idea right now.”
Pelosi and the congressional delegation that accompanied her said in a statement on Tuesday that the visit “honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.”
“Our discussions with Taiwan leadership will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and on promoting our shared interests, including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said. “America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy.”
The United States must remember its vow “to support the defense of Taiwan” as its democracy remains “under threat” from China, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post opinion piece moments after she arrived in Taiwan.
China condemns visit, announces military exercises
China immediately condemned Pelosi’s visit and announced new military exercises surrounding Taiwan later this week including live-fire drills.
China had warned of “resolute and strong measures” if Pelosi went ahead with the trip. China’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday night it will conduct a series of targeted military operations to “safeguard national sovereignty” in response to Pelosi’s visit.
China’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a string of tweets Tuesday that Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was a “major political provocation.”
