US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Visits Taiwan Amid Tensions With China: 10 Things To Know

United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with leaders in Taiwan despite the warnings from China. Pelosi met Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen and said that the US would not abandon their commitment to Taiwan.

China has claimed Taiwan as its territory and has opposed any foreign government engaging with Taiwanese officials. The nation announced multiple military exercises in Taiwan.

Pelosi is the first speaker of the house to visit Taiwan in 25 years, the last speaker of the house to visit Taiwan was Newt Gingrich in 1997.

Nancy Pelosi Taiwan Visit

• Nancy Pelosi led the Taiwan visit with five other members of Congress and met representatives from Taiwan’s legislature.
• President Tsai Ing-wen honoured Nancy Pelosi with the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon. She said it represented the Taiwan’s gratitude to Pelosi and the nation’s “wish to continue progressing US-Taiwan relations through more cooperation”.
• Tsai thanked Pelosi for supporting Taiwan and said the nation would not back down, regardless of facing heightened military threats.
• The Order of Propitious Clouds is the highest civilian honour of the Republic of China. Only 21 people have been awarded it since it was established in 1941.
• Following her meeting with President Tsai, Pelosi said that the purpose of her visit to Taiwan was to ensure the nation’s security.
• Reportedly, Pelosi’s trip heightened US-China tensions more than other visits by members of Congress due to her high-level position as a leader of the House of Representatives.
• Following Pelosi’s arrival in Taiwan, China announced live-fire drills and a four-day exercise on waters of all sides of the island.
• China’s air force also flew 21 warplanes, including fighter jets toward Taiwan.
• Nancy Pelosi will visit a human rights museum in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. She will travel to South Korea next, and also visit Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan.
• 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan displayed the words "Warmonger Pelosi Get Out Of Taiwan" on the in-store television screens. The parent company, Uni-President Enterprises Corporation told local media that it suspected they had been hacked.

Suggested Reading: Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi Make History As First Women To Share Stage In Biden's Address