Tensions with China – Despite China’s warnings: Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan – News

  • US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Taiwan. Their plane landed in the capital Taipei on Tuesday evening.
  • The top politician ignored warnings from China, which sees Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic.
  • Shortly before landing, Chinese warplanes crossed the Taiwan Strait, according to Chinese state television.
  • China’s Defense Ministry announced that it would respond to the visit with “targeted military operations”.
  • Despite the political tensions with China, the visit to Taiwan is largely welcomed. In Taipei, this is also seen as a setback for Beijing.

Cross-party Taiwanese MPs welcomed Nancy Pelosi to the airport. Pelosi will meet with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday morning, the president’s office officially announced. Taiwan hopes the visit will deepen partnership with the US and uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.

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Nancy Pelosi is greeted at Taipei Airport.

Reuters News Event (screenshot)

Taiwan’s military has stepped up its readiness, the CNA news agency reported. The two-stage alarm system is not yet a classification for the “emergency”, but continues to be a “normal operational readiness”.

China begins “military operations”

Shortly before Pelosi landed in Taipei, Chinese warplanes flew over the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and Taiwan. It was a SU-35 fighter jet, as reported by the broadcaster CCTV. Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Twitter that more than 20 Chinese military planes had entered its air defense zone.

Beijing had threatened the United States with consequences if Pelosi visited Taipei. “Those who play with fire will perish,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden in a phone call.

Beijing had threatened the United States with consequences if Pelosi visited Taipei. “Those who play with fire will perish,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden in a phone call.

Demonstration of power at sea


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China’s Defense Ministry announced that it would respond to the visit with “targeted military operations”. This included maneuvers with shooting exercises in six sea areas around the island republic. According to state television, the maneuvers have already begun and are expected to last until Sunday. They served the “serious deterrent against the recent escalation”. It is about defending against “interference by foreign forces and separatist attempts by independence forces in Taiwan”.

The US 7th Fleet said on Twitter that the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is in the Philippine Sea south of Taiwan. He is commanded by the destroyer USS Higgins, a multi-role ship equipped with the Aegis combat system, which includes anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, among others. There is also a Navy amphibious assault ship, the USS Tripoli, east of Taiwan. The Pentagon assured that the ships’ presence in the region had nothing to do with Nancy Pelosi’s visit.

Pelosi has pledged continued US support for Taiwan. Her visit underscores the “unwavering commitment of the United States to support a vibrant democracy in Taiwan,” she said on Tuesday evening after arriving in Taipei. “America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important now than ever as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy.”

Destination unclear for a long time

The US Air Force Boeing C-40C (737), with which Pelosi had previously flown to Malaysia, left the capital Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday morning. The machine flew over the Indonesian islands of Jawa and Sulawesi and then turned north over the Philippines. Shortly after 4 p.m. (Swiss time), the aircraft entered Taiwanese airspace. The route of the machine with the flight number SPAR19 was the most followed flight on the Flightradar24.com website for hours.

Supporters of US politician Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei

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Supporters of US politician Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei

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From the point of view of the Chinese leadership, Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic, although it was already governed independently before it was founded in 1949. That is why Beijing firmly rejects official contacts from other countries to the government in Taipei, referring to its “One China Doctrine”.

The White House warned Beijing of an escalation. “There is no reason for Beijing to turn a possible visit, consistent with long-standing US policy, into a crisis or conflict,” said Security Council communications director John Kirby. The US would not engage in “saber rattling”. At the same time, the United States will not be intimidated.

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