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US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taipei on Tuesday, marking an important show of support for Taiwan despite China’s threats of retaliation for the visit.
Pelosi’s stop in Taipei is the first time a speaker of the US House of Representatives has visited Taiwan in 25 years. Her trip comes at a low point in US-China relations and despite warnings from the Biden administration against a stop in Taiwan.
Pelosi and her accompanying congressional delegation said in a statement Tuesday that the visit “honors America’s unwavering commitment to support Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.”
“Our discussions with Taiwan’s leadership will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and promoting our shared interests, including the advancement of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said. “America’s solidarity with Taiwan’s 23 million people is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy.”
Pelosi is traveling with House Foreign Affairs Speaker Gregory Meeks of New York, Veterans Affairs Chairman Mark Takano of California and Reps. Susan DelBene of Washington state, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Andy Kim of New Jersey.
The House Speaker is expected to visit Taiwan’s presidential office and parliament on Wednesday morning (local time), a senior Taiwanese official told CNN.
She will first visit parliament before heading to the presidential office for a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, the official said.
Pelosi is expected to leave Taiwan later Wednesday, according to a press release issued by the State Department. The official was not authorized to speak about Pelosi’s travel plans, which have not been made public.
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Source: CNN
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