US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in Taiwan today and has met with the country’s President Tsai Ing-wen. Pelosi said that the US would always support Taiwan and is looking to maintain a long-term mutually beneficial relationship.
Pelosi referred to the Taiwan Relations Act, and said, “Forty-three years ago, America made a promise to always stand with Taiwan… today our delegation came to Taiwan to make it unequivocally clear we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan.”
Applauding Taiwan’s strong stand against China, Pelosi said, “The world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy. America’s decision to preserve democracy here in Taiwan remains iron-clad.”
China has strongly condemned Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, as it reiterates its one-China policy. While Taiwan is a self-ruled, independent and democratic country, China sees it as a break-away province. China and Taiwan have had a stressed relationship, with the former repeatedly claiming Taiwan to be part of its country. China has also attempted several military sieges on Taiwan.
When Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was announced, China warned the US that such actions will have consequences. On the eve of her visit, more than 20 Chinese military planes had entered Taiwan’s air defence zone. Soon after Pelosi landed in Taipei, China announced that the People’s Liberation Army will conduct a series of live-fire military drills in the air and at sea around Taiwan later this week.
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi released a statement against Pelosi’s visit. He said that the visit is a provocative move from the US, and
violates the one-China principle. Furthermore, the statement said, “The US must stop obstructing China’s great reunification. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China”.
Nevertheless, Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-Chung has praised Pelosi for visiting the country and not bowing down to international pressures. “We want to extend a warm thank you to Speaker Pelosi for not only taking the time and energy to make this trip happen but also for enduring international pressure and judgement while remaining committed to her values. She will always have a friend in Taiwan!,” he said.
