The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is expected to first arrive in Singapore on Monday as part of a closely watched tour of Asia.
The itinerary makes no mention of a possible visit to Taiwan – a possibility that sparked angry reaction in China.
Ms. Pelosi has not confirmed whether she will visit Taiwan, an island nation 23 million people governed independently but officially considered part of China. She proposed a trip to the island this year saying it was “important for us to show support for Taiwan” but the trip was postponed as she tested positive for COVID-19.
During a two-hour phone call between U.S. President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, their first direct conversation in four months, Xi warned Biden against “playing with fire” on the Taiwan issue.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there was no reason for China and the U.S. “to come to blows” should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit Taiwan during an Asia trip.
Pelosi begins Asia tour
Nancy Pelosi is leading a six-member Congressional delegation to the Indo-Pacific region, including visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. The trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Today, our Congressional delegation travels to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America’s strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
“In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance. Under the strong leadership of President Biden, America is firmly committed to smart, strategic engagement in the region, understanding that a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe.”
“We look forward to productive meetings that will continue to inform Congress’s work to advance our values and interests and strengthen our partnerships in the region,” Speaker Pelosi said.
Delegation members include:
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- Chairman Gregory Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Chairman Mark Takano, Chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
- Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Vice Chair, House Ways and Means Committee
- Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform
- Congressman Andy Kim, Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
