US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reached Taiwan Tuesday evening amid threats by China over the decision. Last week, President Xi Jinping had warned US President Joe Biden to “not play with fire” (by provoking China).
By flying to Taiwan, an island that China claims as its own, Pelosi became the highest-ranking elected US official to visit the self-ruled island in over 25 years. In retaliation, at least 21 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defence zone.
WHY HAS PELOSI VISITED TAIWAN?
"Our visit reiterates that America stands with Taiwan: a robust, vibrant democracy and our important partner in the Indo-Pacific," Pelosi tweeted after landing in Taiwan.
In another tweet, she said, "Our delegation’s visit to Taiwan honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant Democracy. Our discussions with the Taiwan leadership reaffirm our support for our partner & promote our shared interests, including advancing a free & open Indo-Pacific region."
The tweets themselves show the reason behind Pelosi's visit to the Island. As a politician, Pelosi has frequently criticised China, mainly on grounds of human rights violations. This time, citing the commitment that the US has made to a democratic Taiwan under a 1979 law, Pelosi, in an opinion piece published by The Washington Post on her arrival in Taiwan, said, “We must stand by Taiwan. It is essential that America and our allies make clear that we never give in to autocrats”.
Pelosi, who led a congressional delegation to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in the spring, is framing her Taiwan trip as part of a broader mission at a time when “the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy.” Over the decades, Pelosi has made a mission of showing support for embattled democracy movements.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@MOFA_Taiwan)
Also, Pelosi had planned this trip in April, but it got postponed after she tested positive for Covid-19.
WHY IS CHINA ANGRY ON PELOSI'S VISIT TO TAIWAN?
Firstly, China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and as per the country, the presence of a senior figure from the US here would indicate a kind of American support for Taiwan’s independence.
The other reason behind China being angry is that during a phone call with Biden last week, President Xi had warned that it was "playing with fire". Despite this, Pelosi landed there, ignoring the threats.
HOW HAS CHINA RESPONDED?
Reacting to Pelosi's arrival, China's Foreign Ministry said the trip would have a "severe impact on the political foundation of China-US relations." "China will definitely take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the US Speaker's visit," the statement read.
A spokesman for China's Ministry of Defense, as reported by CNN, said the People's Liberation Army was "on high alert" and would launch "a series of targeted military operations to counteract the situation, resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely thwart the interference of external forces and 'Taiwan independence' secessionist schemes."
WHAT'S US STAND ON TAIWAN AND HOW HAS IT RESPONDED?
The Biden administration has said that the United States remains committed to its “one-China policy." The US has maintained a ‘One China’ policy since the 1970s, under which it recognises Taiwan as a part of China. But it has unofficial ties with Taiwan as well. Beijing considers Taiwan a part of China, threatens it frequently, and has not ruled out taking the island by military force at any time.
Also, while Biden expressed some wariness about Pelosi's trip, his administration has not openly opposed it. Prior to Pelosi's visit, the US had said it was up to her to decide whether to go.
On Monday, the American military had increased its movements in the Indo-Pacific region and the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group were in the Philippine Sea, according to The Independent.
WHAT'S TAIWAN'S TAKE ON PELOSI'S TRIP?
"US-Taiwan friendship forever" -- the message welcoming Pelosi showed up on the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper at the airport. The US Speaker was received by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
On Wednesday, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen met Pelosi and her delegation at the Presidential Palace and said, "We will do whatever it takes to strengthen Taiwan’s sovereignty."
"Speaker Pelosi has not only supported Taiwan for a long time, but also paid attention to Taiwan's democratic development and regional peace and security," The Independent quoted Presidential Spokesperson Xavier Chang as saying.
ALSO READ | Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan threatens peace, stability: China warns US
ALSO READ | With Taiwan visit, Nancy Pelosi caps career of standing up to China
--- ENDS ---
