Nancy Pelosi left Taiwan on Wednesday after her controversial visit to the island. In his 24-hour tour, he met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, visited Parliament and met with human rights activists in Taipei.
Following her arrival last Tuesday, Pelosi issued a statement denying that her visit runs counter to her country's international policy and said it shows the United States'"unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan's vibrant democracy."
Our delegation's visit to Taiwan honors America's unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan's vibrant Democracy.
Our discussions with Taiwan leadership reaffirm our support for our partner & promote our shared interests, including advancing a free & open Indo-Pacific region.
- Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 2, 2022
A visit of only 24 hours
Early Wednesday morning, Pelosi went to the Taiwanese parliament to meet with a group of lawmakers. In the vicinity of the building he encountered a group of protesters holding banners of welcome. On the other hand, a gathering of pro-China protesters with signs accusing it of interfering in China's internal affairs.
Hours later, the Speaker of the House of Representatives met with Taiwan's Chief Executive, Tsai Ing-wen. After the meeting Pelosi described Taiwan as a "model for the region" in "contrast" to China. He spoke about bilateral relations between the two countries and how they "can strengthen their economic ties, reinforce their security partnership and defend their common democratic values."
Our delegation had the distinct privilege of meeting with the President oTaiwan @Iingwen today.
We discussed how America & Taiwan can deepen our economic ties, further strengthen our security partnership & defend our shared democratic values. pic.twitter.com/VL509UYK4x
- Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 3, 2022
Before leaving Taiwan, Pelosi visited the National Human Rights Museum where she met with former political prisoners who fought for the island's democracy. And he said,"It is a tribute to the heroes who suffered and fought for Taiwan's democracy." He later met with human rights activists, highly critical of Beijing, in Taipei's Jingmei Park.
Together with former political prisoners our delegation visited the Nat'l Human Rights Museum: a tribute to heroes who suffered & fought for Taiwan's Democracy. Then we heard from civil society leaders on human rights. We came to listen & learn; we left inspired by their courage. pic.twitter.com/dsKa02n0Ka
- Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 3, 2022
Response from China
Prior to Pelosi's landing on the island, the Chinese military sent a destroyer ship just 50 miles off the Taiwanese coast as a show of authority. At the same time, the Taiwanese news agency CNA reported a bomb warning at Taipei airport .
On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the United States and Pelosi have "played with fire" by finally traveling to Taiwan, in statements to Chinese television CCTV from Nom Pen, the capital of Cambodia. The visit had not been confirmed until the plane in which the official was traveling landed in Taipei,
China insists on "reunifying" the People's Republic with the island, which has been governed autonomously since it became a haven for Chinese Kuomintang nationalists. The Nationalists were the losers of the Chinese civil war to the Communist Party in 1949.
