The planned visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan was greeted warmly by China, which warned of “strong measures” if the US refuses to cancel the trip.
Pelosi was Reportedly is set to visit Taiwan on Sunday as part of its planned trip to Japan this weekend, but both Pelosi’s office and the Taiwanese government have not yet released official confirmation.
Pelosi’s upcoming trip to Japan has now been postponed because the Speaker of the House has tested positive for COVID-19. a spokesperson for Pelosi said she was asymptomatic and was given a vaccine and booster shot.
The visit would coincide with the 43rd anniversary of the signing of the Taiwan Relations Act by the US, which, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs†
During a Press conference in Beijing on Thursday, Zhao said: “If the United States insists on having its way, China will take strong measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any potential consequences resulting from this will be borne entirely by the US.”
In a Thursday editorial by former editor-in-chief Hu Xijin, Chinese state news center Global times said Pelosi’s visit would be “Washington’s gravest provocation to China on the Taiwan issue.” It advised that, “while the crisis in Ukraine is still ongoing”, the US should appease China in exchange for not increasing aid to Russia. However, the US is deliberately taking the offensive towards China, hitting the bottom line of China and trying to pressure China into strategic submission.”
Spokesperson for the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Joanne Ou emphasized that asking U.S. officials and dignitaries to visit is “an important part” of the office’s job, and official announcements of such trips would be made at the appropriate time.
The Kuomintang, a major political party in Taiwan, tweeted a welcome message to Pelosi, hoping “to exchange views on matters of mutual interest during the visit”.
Vice President Taiwan William Lai met Pelosi in January as he completed a visit to the US and Honduras.
After the meeting, Lai tweeted:I enjoyed getting to know @SpeakerPelosi, a champion of human rights and a true friend of Taiwan. We are determined to work together to strengthen the partnership between the US and Taiwan.”
The Last Time an American Speaker of the House officially visited Taiwan was Newt Gingrich in 1997.
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