US Pelosi to Visit Taiwan Today... "Meeting Taiwan President Tomorrow"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, who is touring Asia, is pressing ahead with her visit to Taiwan despite China's military warnings. It is the first time in 25 years since Newt Gingrich in 1997 that a U.S. House Speaker has visited Taiwan. Pelosi's visit to Taiwan is expected to further escalate U.S.-China tensions and cause turmoil in the Northeast Asian situation.

On the 1st (local time), major foreign media including CNN, citing U.S. Congress and Taiwanese officials, reported unanimously that Pelosi plans to spend the night of the 2nd in Taiwan after finishing her schedule in Singapore. Local Taiwanese media also reported that Pelosi is expected to arrive in Taipei, Taiwan on the night of the 2nd, meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at 8 a.m. on the 3rd, and visit the Legislative Yuan (parliament).

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory, has strongly opposed Pelosi's visit, saying it severely undermines the U.S.-China agreement on the "One China" principle, and has even hinted at military measures. In response, the U.S. has officially stated it will take security measures, and tensions between the two countries are escalating into a "chicken game" atmosphere. The U.S. side argues that China is escalating political tensions despite the fact that visits by U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan are not unprecedented. When former House Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Taiwan in 1997, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs only issued a critical statement.

John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), said on the 1st, "The Speaker has the right to visit Taiwan," adding, "There is no reason for China to make harsh remarks or take any actions." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also pressured China during a press conference, saying, "We expect China to act responsibly and not engage in any escalation of tensions going forward."

Meanwhile, the British daily The Guardian reported on the same day, citing sources, that a British parliamentary delegation is also likely to visit Taiwan around the end of the year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.