Nancy Pelosi meets Taiwan President Tsai, angering Beijing

Nancy Pelosi meets Taiwan President Tsai, angering Beijing
August 3, 2022, 7:35 am

On July 26, President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen boardered on a destroyer to watch the national Navy & Air Force in action - 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen @iingwen Twitter account

US Speaker Nancy Pelosi has met Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in a visit that has been strongly condemned by China, the BBC reported.

Ms Pelosi, the most senior US politician in 25 years to visit Taiwan, said her delegation had come to make it "unequivocally clear" that the US would not "abandon" the island.

Ms Pelosi said, referring to the Taiwan Relations Act: "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.”

Ms Pelosi's visit is viewed by Beijing as yet another sign of support for Taiwan.

In her meeting with Ms Tsai at the presidential office, Ms Pelosi called Taiwan an "inspiration to all freedom-loving people", saying: "The world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy. America's decision to preserve democracy here in Taiwan remains iron-clad."

It is my great and humble privilege to accept on behalf of the Congress the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon: a symbol of America’s strong and enduring friendship with Taiwan.

Join me & President @iingwen for this special presentation. https://t.co/1etOJHuIT5
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 3, 2022

Ms Tsai similarly praised the partnership between both places, saying Taiwan remained a "trustworthy and reliable partner of the US".

She added that Taiwan was "facing deliberately heightened military threats", adding that it "would not back down and that Taiwan will do whatever it takes to strengthen its self-defence capabilities".

China threatens 'targeted military operations' as Pelosi arrives in Taiwan

Ms Pelosi is expected to meet a group of human rights activists later on Wednesday (August 3).

She had earlier met with Taiwan Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tsai Chi-Chang.

China had earlier said the US would "pay the price" for Ms Pelosi's visit.

Taiwan is self-ruled, but China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually unite with it.

Nancy Pelosi to visit Taiwan on Tuesday despite China warnings

Taiwan has become yet another flashpoint amid heightened tensions and sharp rhetoric between Washington and Beijing in recent years.

The US abides by the "One China" policy - a cornerstone of the two countries' diplomatic relationship which recognises only one Chinese government - and has formal ties with Beijing and not Taiwan.

But it also maintains a "robust unofficial" relationship with the island. That includes selling weapons for Taiwan to defend itself.

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