US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived on the island of Taiwan on Tuesday, despite Chinese warnings once morest such a visit.
Pelosi arrived on a US military plane at Taipei’s Songshan Airport, where she was received by Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
In her first statement from Taiwan, Pelosi pledged Washington’s support for Taipei, saying, “Our discussions with officials in Taiwan will include American support for them.”
She stressed that her visit to Taiwan “does not contradict the policy of the United States,” adding: “Our support for the people of Taiwan is greater than ever.”
In a subsequent tweet, Pelosi said Taiwan was an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Our visit reiterates that America stands with Taiwan: a robust, vibrant democracy and our important partner in the Indo-Pacific. pic.twitter.com/2sSRJXN6ST
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 2, 2022
According to the Taiwan News Agency, Pelosi will meet with Taiwan President on Wednesday.
For its part, the White House stressed that Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan does not threaten China’s sovereignty, adding: “China’s threats will not frighten us.”
Taiwanese media had confirmed that “the air defense system was activated at Taipei airport” prior to Pelosi’s arrival. For its part, the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation announced that “8 American fighters launched from the island of Okinawa, east of Taiwan.”
China quickly announced the “closure of the airspace of civil aircraft in the Taiwan Strait,” threatening that “aircraft that violates the no-fly zone in Taiwan’s airspace may be shot down.”
In the same context, Chinese media said, “Chinese Sukhoi fighters crossed the Taiwan Strait.” For its part, Taiwanese media denied that Chinese Su-35 fighters crossed the Taiwan Strait, saying that “unidentified Chinese planes crossed the Taiwan Strait.”
Pelosi’s plane in Taiwan
Pelosi left Malaysia, the second leg of her Asian tour, earlier in the day amid rising tension over her visit to Taiwan.
Chinese media reported that the army deployed large numbers of military vehicles off the coast of Taiwan.
iStock – Taiwan (Emoji
For its part, Taiwan commented on Pelosi’s visit by saying, “We warmly welcome foreign guests, and we will make appropriate arrangements,” while Taiwanese media reported that Taipei airport was receiving bomb threats ahead of Pelosi’s upcoming visit.
Nancy Pelosi
Before that, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense confirmed the military movements near Taiwan, emphasizing by saying: “We will deploy appropriate military forces in response to the threats. We have the resolve and ability to ensure our national security.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry commented on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan by saying: “We hope that America will understand the sensitivity of the situation. We will respond firmly if Pelosi visits Taiwan.”
Military Watch had reported that China deployed the “Aircraft Carrier Killer” missile, the first gliding hypersonic vehicle, following the US Navy moved its aircraft carrier groups to places close to Chinese territory, for fear of a reaction Beijing on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
And the American magazine Politico quoted Western diplomatic sources as saying that European countries are preparing for the repercussions of the dangerous escalation between Washington and Beijing over Pelosi’s visit.
An informed source told the magazine that the deteriorating war of words between the United States and China regarding Taiwan is worrying European countries due to the risks of a possible military escalation.
The sources stressed that the European Union considers any military confrontation between China and Washington an out-of-control conflict.
Vice President of the Munich Security Conference Boris Rogge warned European countries not to prepare for a US-Chinese confrontation scenario by supporting Taiwan, in addition to maintaining close contact with Beijing in order to calm tension.
