US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has fueled significant tensions between China and the US. China’s government has already responded to the announcement of the visit by increasing its military presence. China’s army deliberately held maneuvers and target practice in the China Sea, warships patrolled off the coast of Taiwan, and fighter jets flew across the Taiwan Strait. In return, Taiwan also put its military on increased operational readiness.
The plane that brought the US politician to Taipei landed in Taipei shortly after 4:30 p.m. Central European Time. Her visit underscores the “unwavering commitment of the United States to support a vibrant democracy in Taiwan,” she said shortly after landing. Pelosi could meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday. Until recently, it was unclear whether the US Democrat politician, who is currently on a tour of Southeast Asia, would actually come to the Taiwanese capital. However, security has been tightened at the hotel where Pelosi may be staying.
It is the highest-ranking visit from the United States to the island nation, home to around 23 million people, since 1997. At the time, Pelosi’s Republican predecessor, Newt Gingrich, was visiting Taiwan. In the year when the British colony of Hong Kong was returned to China, however, the Chinese reaction was moderate because Gingrich had previously visited Beijing.
The government in Beijing sees Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China and considers any diplomatic contact with Taipei by other countries as an attack on its territorial integrity. This attitude is also known as the “One China Doctrine”. Taiwan, on the other hand, sees itself as an independent state, but this independence is only recognized by a few states. Tensions often arise between Taipei and Beijing. There is also international concern that the Chinese government may be plotting a conquest of Taiwan – taking advantage of the fact that the US and NATO are currently preoccupied with the war in Ukraine.
With her spontaneous visit to Taiwan, Pelosi is ignoring harsh warnings from Beijing. The government there has been protesting for weeks against a possible trip by the democrat. China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping told US President Joe Biden in a phone call last week: “Those who play with fire will perish.” On Monday, a State Department spokesman threatened “egregious political consequences” if Pelosi actually set foot on Taiwanese soil. After Pelosi’s landing, China protested sharply: “We will take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday evening described Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan as a “clear provocation”. China has the right to take measures to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Moscow statement said. “We view the visit as a clear provocation in the spirit of the US’s aggressive stance on comprehensive containment of China.” Russia’s stance remains unchanged that there is only one China with the legitimate government in Beijing, it said.
For its part, the US government is warning Beijing of an escalation. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said they would not engage in “saber rattling” with China, “but they would not be intimidated either.” A possible visit by Pelosi to Taiwan would not change his government’s China policy, which has no official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.