Nancy Pelosi departs Taiwan after visit criticized by China
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi travels to South Korea after departing Taiwan on Wednesday amid heightened tensions with China over the controversial visit.
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Heritage Foundation foreign policy and national security expert James Carafano told "America Reports" on Wednesday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should have visited Taiwan years ago.
China is running a slew of live fire military drills near Taiwan, apparently in anger after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the disputed island territory.
The military is reportedly practicing blockades at sea and missile launches, as well as combat on land. The Chinese military is utilizing advanced technology in the drills, including J-20 stealth fighter jets and DF-17 hypersonic missiles.
"We are concerned by recent and announced threatening actions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), particularly live-fire exercises and economic coercion, which risk unnecessary escalation," the G7 said in a statement Wednesday. "There is no justification to use a visit as pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait. It is normal and routine for legislators from our countries to travel internationally.
"The PRC’s escalatory response risks increasing tensions and destabilizing the region," the world leaders added. "We call on the PRC not to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the region, and to resolve cross-Strait differences by peaceful means."
G7 leaders said, "There is no change in the respective one-China policies."
Iran and Syria released statements Tuesday joining other Chinese allies condemning the U.S. delegation's visit to Taiwan.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry called the delegation "an act of hostility which doesn’t match with the international law, and doesn’t respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China."
"Syria recognizes only one China," the ministry said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran views respect to the territorial integrity of countries as the basis of its foreign policy, and support for one-China policy in this framework is unquestionable."
"Together with former political prisoners our delegation visited the National Human Rights Museum: a tribute to heroes who suffered and fought for Taiwan’s Democracy," she tweeted.
"Then we heard from civil society leaders on human rights," she continued. "We came to listen and learn; we left inspired by their courage."
"Today, our delegation, of which I'm very proud, came to Taiwan to make unequivocally clear we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan and we are proud of our enduring friendship," she said at a Wednesday morning ceremony.
"America made a bedrock promise to always stand with Taiwan," Pelosi added, referencing the Taiwan Relations Act. "And on this strong foundation, we have built a thriving partnership, grounded in our shared values of self-government and self-determination, focused on our mutual security interests in the region and across the world, committed to the economic ties that power, prosperity for all of our people."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to a group of reporters following her meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei, where she said her visit to Taiwan was to ensure the country's "security" and that it can defend itself from China.
"I do think that the it's really important for the message to be clear that in the Congress, House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans are committed to the security of Taiwan in order to have Taiwan be able to most effectively defend themselves," Pelosi said in response to a question from a Central News Agency reporter.
"What matters to us is that we salute the successes of Taiwan. We work together for the security of Taiwan," she added.
Another purpose of Pelosi's trip was "to show the world the success of the people of Taiwan, their courage to change their own country to become more democratic," she said in response to a subsequent question.
Her comments echoed those from her speech, where she said her visit intended to send the message to China that the U.S. supports Taiwan.
"Our delegation came here to send an unequivocal message. America stands with Taiwan," she said.
Pelosi's comments come as the U.S. continues to send aid and weapons to Ukraine to ensure its security against Russia. Experts often compare Ukraine and Taiwan and have predicted China, like Russia, could soon launch a military invasion on the island.
Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, receives the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, Taiwan’s highest civilian honour, from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, at the president's office on August 03, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Handout/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen presented House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, Taiwan’s highest civilian honor.
“Thank you, Madam President,” Pelosi said. “It's with great, immense admiration for your leadership and great personal humility that I accept this award.”
“I accept it not for me only, but for our members of Congress who were so instrumental in all that you said about our accomplishments together, Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, both sides of the aisle united in our support for Taiwan,” she said. “This time, I am so excited to receive this award on behalf of the United States Congress, which is just [as] unwavering [in their support].”.
She added: “I look forward to displaying this award in the Speaker's office.”
The award ceremony was held at the president's office in Taipei, Taiwan.
Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, meets Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen at the president's office on August 03, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Chien Chih-Hung/Office of The President via Getty Images)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has joined Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for a meeting, amid a visit to the country that has been strongly condemned by China.
"We're proud to be here," said Pelosi, speaking on behalf of the Democratic delegation visiting Taiwan Wednesday morning.
"The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to all freedom-loving people in the United States and around the world. Out of a crucible of challenge, you have produced a flourishing democracy, one of the freest in the world and proudly led by a female president," she added.
The meeting comes after Pelosi was presented an award by the Taiwanese government.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan angered the Chinese Communist Party, but being critical of Beijing is "fashionable" these days, Senate Judiciary Committee member Lindsey Graham told Fox News on Tuesday.
Graham, R-S.C., quipped that he was "hard on China before it was cool" after host Jesse Watters analyzed what he viewed as Pelosi's history of being soft on China — whether it be condemning Americans who called coronavirus the Chinavirus, or being politically deferential to Chinese-linked businesses in Silicon Valley.
The White House on Tuesday said the United States "does not want a crisis" and is "prepared to manage what Beijing chooses to do" as House Speaker Pelosi arrived in Taiwan despite China’s warnings against her visit.
White House National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said Tuesday that even before Pelosi’s visit, China "positioned itself to take further steps, and we expect that they will continue to react over a longer-term horizon."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has an "unconditional" right to visit Taiwan as the third-ranking member of the federal government, but her potential motives should still be analyzed, Senate Judiciary Committee member John N. Kennedy, R-La., told Fox News on Tuesday.
Kennedy suggested Pelosi may be trying to engage in one last high-profile endeavor before her party faces likely defeat in the midterms.
Progressive Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., both declined to comment on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s, D-Calif., trip to Taiwan amid increased tensions between the U.S. and China.
Fox News Digital asked both Sanders and Warren in the Senate-side basement of the U.S. Capitol if they had any thoughts on Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, argued President Biden may be compromised by the Chinese after staying silent on threats against Speaker Pelosi and the U.S. over her Taiwan trip. On "America Reports" Tuesday, Grassley pointed to his work with the Hunter Biden investigation and questioned whether the Biden family's business dealings have given the Chinese something to hold over the president.
The Taiwanese government thanked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for stopping in Taiwan during her tour of Asian allied countries, saying that the congressional delegation shows that Taiwan is "not alone."
A flurry of statements from international authorities were published Tuesday after Pelosi officially touched down in Taiwan, directly defying Chinese pressure to abort the trip.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi sent a clear message to the Chinese Communist Party Tuesday as tensions with Beijing continue to escalate amid her Asian tour and trip to Taiwan.
Pelosi landed in Taipei in what she described as a visit that "honors America's unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant Democracy."
"America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy," she said.
For more on this story: Pelosi Taiwan visit: Speaker calls out Chinese Communist Party amid heightened tensions
United States Navy warships are operating in the waters east of Taiwan in what officials say are standard military drills — but their presence could become a matter of international security.
Chinese officials have exploded with anger at the proposition, saying her visit would violate the One China Policy and would constitute aiding an illegal rebellion. One Chinese state media personality even suggested shooting down her plane.
For more on this story: Pelosi Taiwan trip: 4 US warships positioned east of island
Taiwan on Tuesday was hit with a cyberattack and threatened by Chinese war planes flying near its boundary in the Taiwan Straight as tensions with Beijing escalated ahead of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's previously unconfirmed visit.
The culprit behind the attack has not yet been revealed but came just hours before Chinese warplanes flew close to the unofficial dividing line that separates the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and Taiwan.
For more on this story: Taiwan sees cyberattack, Chinese warplanes amid spat with China over expected Pelosi visit
"This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said following Pelosi's arrival in Taipei. "There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China."
For more on this story: China furious after Pelosi lands in Taiwan, promises 'all necessary measures' to defend itself
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. (Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has landed on the island of Taiwan after weeks of international speculation and threats of retaliation from the Chinese Communist Party.
Pelosi, who is conducting an extensive tour of multiple allied nations in Asia, has finally touched down in Taiwan despite repeated threats to the speaker's safety.
For more on this story: Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan amid Chinese threats, military activity
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