US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to visit Taiwan, say Taiwanese and US officials. Pelosi is visiting Taiwan despite warnings by the Biden administration.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is scheduled to visit Taiwan on Tuesday, say US and Taiwanese officials. Pelosi intends to visit Taiwan despite warnings from the Biden administration, which is concerned about China’s response to her visit. This is the first time in 25 years that a US House of Representatives speaker has set foot in Taipei. Newt Gingrich was the last House of Representatives speaker who visited Taiwan in 1997. Pelosi’s overnight stay in Taipei comes in the wake of fraught Sino-American relations. As of now, it is unclear exactly when will she land in Taipei, a senior Taiwanese official said.
Meanwhile, an American official said defense department officials are working round the clock and monitoring every Chinese activity. They are also securing a plan to keep her safe. Previously, Pelosi’s office said on Sunday that she was leading a Congressional delegation to Asia. Her stops were Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. Her office didn’t mention Taiwan back then. It seems like a visit to Taiwan was on the cards, but was hushed for fears of Chinese retaliation. While the White House hasn’t officially confirmed her trip, it defended any such plans. It said Pelosi has the right to go to Taiwan.
China Will Not Tolerate Gross Interference in Chinese Affairs.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian says it would be a gross interference in Chinese affairs if Pelosi visited Taiwan. He said Pelosi’s visit could lead to “very serious developments and consequences.”
“ We would like to tell the United States once again that the Chinese PLA will never sit idle. And China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and integrity, “he added.
When asked what measures the Chinese may take, Zhao said: “If she dares to go, let us wait and see.” China so far views an American visit to Taiwan as providing support to pro-Independence groups there. According to Reuters, sources claim that Pelosi was scheduled to meet with a small group of activists outspoken about China’s human rights records. “China can retaliate with missile strikes near Taiwan, naval or aerial maneuvers, and spurious claims,” said John Kirby, White House National Security Spokesman.
China Shares PLA Video of Military Manoeuvres, White House Dismissed it All
The PLA has recently released a video of its Eastern Theatre Command. The purported video on Chinese media shows PLA soldiers taking part in military exercises. Their superiors ordered PLA troops to “ stand in battle formation, be ready to fight upon commands, and bury all incoming enemies.” The White House has dismissed Chinese rhetoric as groundless and inappropriate. “Nothing about Pelosi’s trip changed the US’s relationship with Taiwan.” “Beijing was well aware that the division of powers in the US government means Pelosi would make her own decisions about her visit,” said John Kirby.
Biden-Xi Phone Call
Last Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Biden to abide by the “ One China Principle”. “ Those who play with fire will perish by it,” he said. Biden, on the other hand, said US policy on China has not changed. Washington strongly opposes any Chinese unilateral effort to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Soon after that, the spokesman at the Chinese embassy in Washington said one of the goals of Thursday’s conversation was to reduce the tension on Taiwan.
(Inputs: Reuters, the Guardian, CNN)
