House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will be visiting Taiwan during her tour of Asia despite warnings from China and the risk of provoking a major crisis across the Taiwan Strait, several Taiwanese and Western media outlets reported on Monday.
Sources told Reuters that Pelosi was due to arrive in Taiwan on Tuesday and spend the night on the island. A US official told CNN that the Pentagon is preparing for her trip and is monitoring Chinese forces in the region. The Financial Times reported that Pelosi will meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday.
Pelosi is leading a congressional delegation in the Asia Pacific that departed for the region on Sunday. In a press release, her office said the delegation would be visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan but made no mention of Taiwan. The first stop for the delegation was in Singapore, where they arrived on Monday.
Pelosi is making the trip to Taiwan even though the Biden administration has warned against it and the US military doesn’t think it’s a “good idea.” China has made clear that it will respond strongly to the visit, something Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian reiterated on Monday, warning that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will not sit “idly by.”
“We want to once again make it clear to the US side that the Chinese side is fully prepared for any eventuality and that the People’s Liberation Army of China will never sit idly by, and we will make resolute response and take strong countermeasures to uphold China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhao said.
The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command posted a video on Weibo, a Chinese social media site, that warned the military force would “bury incoming enemies,” although it didn’t mention Taiwan or Pelosi by name.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday that the administration will support Pelosi’s trip. “We want to make sure that when she travels overseas, she can do so safely and securely and we’re going to make sure of that,” he said.
China views Pelosi’s planned visit as a major provocation because she is a high-level US government official, and it signals that Washington is moving away from the one-China policy. Beijing maintains that it seeks peaceful reunification with Taiwan but has warned the US repeatedly that the issue is a redline and that US support for the island’s “independence forces” will lead to war.
Does Taiwan really need a visit from Pelosi?
Maybe she’s going to bring them ‘treats’… or, maybe ‘tricks’?…
Does anybody?
“Pelosi is making the trip to Taiwan even though the Biden administration has warned against it and the US military doesn’t think it’s a “good idea.” China has made clear that it will respond strongly to the visit”
But no one tells Nanc whether or not she can jump start a war. Just think of the weakness this would portray. Our 82 great grandmother will not be bullied. You go girl!
Who visits Taiwain is no more Xi Jinping’s business than who visits Beijing is any of Joe Biden’s business.
One China, Tom. That’s what’s claimed by Beijing and was agreed as fact by Taipei until not long ago (of course, they wanted to reconquer back all of mainland, but be that as it may).
Either way, none of our business, that’s for sure.
But as an American it’s my business if my government is needlessly antagonizing another country. This visit provides no benefit.
Traditionally, the executive branch handles foreign policy.
Which, at least theoretically, means that Nancy Pelosi visiting Taiwan is no different than you or me visiting Taiwan.
Furthermore, the notion that anyone visiting Taiwan “antagonizes” the regime of the People’s Republic is nonsense on stilts.
You are probably the dumbest, least comprehending individual here at Antiwar. You make “Fakin’ Bacon” seem rational. Your simplistic moralism colors your perception making it impossible to see how the real world works. You’re completely incapable of seeing how international relations works in the real world.
People like you are the reason this country is going down the tubes: stupid, ignorant, arrogant, self-righteous exceptionalism. Like the “Blazing Saddles” line: “You know…morons.”
Justin is rolling over in his grave. 🙁
Justin would be arguing with all of us.
Not googling “Fakin’ Bacon”.
I’ll abstain on your other adjectives but you can take stupid and ignorant off the list. And rabble rousing is a flexible concept.
You and I are not second in the line of succession to the presidency. Pelosi is a government official, not a tourist. What would Abe Lincoln and the US Navy have done if a British prince or ambassador or minister or even an MP tried to visit the Confederacy in a naval vessel?
“What would Abe Lincoln and the US Navy have done if a British prince or ambassador or minister or even an MP tried to visit the Confederacy in a naval vessel?”
The same thing he did when the USS Jacinto intercepted the RMS Trent and abducted two Confederate envoys — decided the US could only afford “one war at a time.”
Ah, yes, here he jumps in once again to bitch about the opponent, instead of bitching about our own incompetent government.
It is precisely because it is not Biden’s business who visits Taiwan that it becomes Zi’s business, you moron.
Is it also Xi’s business who visits Iran? How about Ecuador or Mexico? His regime has as much claim to those countries as it does to Taiwan.
This visit is in context with the formal policy declaration making China enemy #1, massively arming the island, conducting provocative navy and air maneuvers in the contested areas, attempting to form an Asian Pacific military alliance specifically to counter China, and all in parallel the proxy war with Russia in the Ukraine. You can’t be that naive.
If we want to talk about “context,” how about the “context” of more than half a century of the Beijing regime stomping its feet, holding its breath until it turns blue, and throwing itself on the floor every time anyone “meddles its internal affairs,” which it defines as refusing to pretend that it rules places it doesn’t, talking with people from places it has invaded and occupied, etc.?
I don’t have to like the US regime in order to dislike the Chinese regime. Like the “Office” meme, they’re pretty much the same picture.
But, as with the Ukraine, Formosa (a US imperial colony invaded and taken over by a US war proxy specifically to contain China) already had it all, more wealth and autonomy than us, until it agreed to allow itself to become a (f)tool of the CIA and NeoCon War party. And anyway, China over its almost 2 century history with Anglo-imperialism is so vastly more sinned against its a shock to hear them charged by an informed party with hyper-sensitivity.
In theory I ditto your distaste for great powers. Would greatly prefer the US fracture into some two dozen regional sovereignties; but, in the really existing world the US, become little more than a war machine, is far the worst aggressor and threat to civilization and the species itself.
China is doing everything short of war to get Taiwan back. They could have gone beyond tantrums for years. History aside, China wants control of its periphery for good reason. Withering away of the state is fine, but it hasn’t happened yet.
If the Beijing regime wanted Taiwan badly enough, it would act to accomplish that (it can’t possibly get it “back” because it never had it “before”).
Instead it just stomps foot and whines any time it notices someone not going over the top to pretend with it that it owns Taiwan and is just “allowing” some “autonomy.”
Presumably this means that it finds the existing status quo more profitable or less costly than the alternatives.
Right now, Taiwan is a mutually profitable trading partner.
Forcing itself on Taiwan would turn Taiwan into a continuing expense rather than an ongoing benefit.
So it’s willing to wait until that changes.
That doesn’t mean any other regime should pay any mind whatsoever to the tantrums every time an American visits Taiwan, or the leader of occupied Tibet visits America, etc. No regime owes any other regime that kind of accommodation.
I didn’t say “Beijing regime” I said “China” is trying to get Taiwan back. Ultimately this is about the “Chinese”, who are going to eventually get Taiwan back. Meanwhile the status quo 1) doesn’t involve war and 2) reinforces Chinese nationalism. I think the US figures reunification is going to happen anyway but they aren’t going to let a warmongering opportunity go to waste.
“China” can’t get “back” what it has never had.
The Communist regime in Beijing is the legitimate government of the Chinese nation, including
Taiwan.
There’s neither any such thing as a “legitimate government,” nor is there any such thing as “the” “Chinese” “nation.”
There are regimes pretending they have a “right” to control people, that’s all there is, and no particular such pretense deserves anyone’s respect.
Until we combine into something bigger or break up into something smaller, regimes are how the human race organize for our collective security and setting the rules we rely on for the pursuit of happiness. China exists and it includes Taiwan at least a much as the USA includes Hawai’i. Anarcho/libertarian and anarcho/communist ideals are fine and possibly the best future for our species. In the meantime we need to prevent war. Pelosi’s visit is an understandable and unnecessary provocation.
“China exists and it includes Taiwan at least a much as the USA includes Hawai’i.”
The Washington, DC based regime has ruled Hawaii since 1893.
The Beijing, China based regime has never ruled Taiwan, and one of its predecessor regimes lost it in 1895.
Every country in the world, including the US agrees that Taiwan is China. It would be akin to a high ranking official from Russia or China insisting on visiting Texas after Washington said no. It’s considered a violation of sovereignty and Pelosi is clearly doing it to assert US hegemony. She’s not simply a private citizen going on vacation. You know that.
Yes, every country in the world, including the US, agrees that “Taiwan” is “China.”
What they don’t agree on is whether the Beijing regime or the Taipei regime is the “legitimate” government of “China.”
It would be much simpler if everyone would simply acknowledge fact, truth and history. The regime in Beijing has never ruled Taiwan.
While it’s a mistake to regard every friendly gesture as “appeasement,” letting the Beijing regime dictate everyone else’s behavior toward a country which it does not and never has ruled would certainly qualify.
If you are really this stupid, please step down from your functions on this site, and go play dumb ass on Counterpunch or wherever else you prefer to tread.
True, but it would also be much simpler if everyone would simply acknowledge the fact that the Tsiang government of Taiwan was installed by us. At that time we had a Two-China policy.
Taiwan was part of China for 200 years before 1895.
From 1949 it claimed to be the government of all of China. The Chinese claim is stronger than the US claim to Texas was in 1861. The cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy is that al the territory of the Chinese Empire, including territory taken by the British, the Portuguese and the Japanese remains part of “One China.” That includes Taiwan.
They’ve made it their business, and their claim is quite colorable. See: How the Real World Works 101.
I agree but Xi and Joe don’t think like you and Nanc going is going to stir up shit. And I don’t want to die because that old hag wants to act tough.
Abe Lincoln had a legitimate interest in preventing foreign governments from recognizing or aiding the Confederacy. He warned Britain and France that recognition of the Confederate States would mean war. No foreign country ever recognized the Confederacy or had a diplomat or government official try to run the Union blockade. Taiwan has been a part of China longer than the Confederate states were part of the USA when they rebelled. Both rebellions were internal affairs.
You made me laugh outloud and I was drinking cranberry juice! It almost came out thru my nose!
I am a peace activist but there is something about Nancy that makes me want to go off like a ballistic missile and severely pummel her!
Hopefully, “Nancy’s Excellent Adventure,” won’t turn into “Nancy’s Bogus Journey.” But, regardless how much money is being wasted (our money) on protecting her with all those ships and planes, which are really going to either provoke China to fire the first shot, or stay there indefinitely until China does just that, how many millions? Anybody else notice the world is going insane, from the Japanese monkeys attacking people and stealing babies to our own great apes on the streets and government destroying society and possibly the world?
Absolutely insane!… Except for me and you Lilly! And some others, lol.
Everybody does
Why are we spending money protecting her if this Administration warned her about going?
markets,its all bout increasing our global market share, with increased profits, layered with thumb in the eye to china while moving the line in the sand, even on water just a bit more so the king of the hill grinds down on fingers that are rising up…stupid jingo game of RISK [t/m]
I’m tired of our foreign policy being ran by octogenarians who doesn’t care if they start a war that devastates the world for the rest of us who still have to live on this planet for a while. This trip literally helps nobody other than stirring up tensions for a possible nuclear war JUST to draw people’s attention away from the terrible inflation.
Octogenarians normally learn from life’s experience. Oligarchs do not fully experience life and therefore do not receive the wisdom of Life.
What I can’t figure out is why Taiwan would do this … I mean, they currently enjoy quasi-independence and self-rule precisely because they wisely decided to not rock the boat and insist on actual independence and self-rule, something no Chinese govt could agree with.
I mean, didn’t Taiwan get the lesson on Georgis-2008 and Ukraine-2022? That the US will gin them into a war they can’t win and use them for domestic and international benefits as they get decimated?
Taiwan has been strangely silent on this. Like all of our satraps, they probably didn’t get to cast a veto to the insanity.
If Taiwanese people actually got a vote on whether Pelosi gets a visit, there is a good chance they turn her down. Alas, they are also ruled by bad politicians who make decisions for them. (In this case, even the politicians may have had no say in it since it is the American Empire after all)
The Republic of China wants to reconquer the mainland. Not self rule. However, there’s an independence movement that even wants to shake off the official name because it was forced upon the natives.
The people that overthrew the elected government of Ukraine in 2014 did not remotely reflect the wishes of the majority. I wonder if Taiwan has a similar predicament.
I wonder what the original Taiwanese think. I also wonder if China could invade without hurting them too much.
This is actually a golden opportunity for China to settle US BS.
Taiwan didn’t experience any battles during WWII, so they don’t have a collective memory regarding the horrors of war.
Google “white terror”. The Taiwanese know plenty about horror.
Brian Berletic has an excellent analysis of the entire China-Taiwan situation which destroys Knapp’s BS. A must-view.
New Atlas LIVE – US-Chinese Tensions Over Taiwan
Retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski – no stranger here at Antiwar.com – analyzes the Pelosi visit.
Queen’s Gambit? US Risking ‘Unpopular 82YO Speaker’ to Test China’s Strength, Military Analyst Says
https://sputniknews.com/20220801/queens-gambit-us-risking-unpopular-82yo-speaker-to-test-chinas-strength-military-analyst-says-1098004753.html
Last week, Nancy led an effort to provide $52 billion in subsidies to US semiconductor companies. Today, two thirds of all semiconductors are made in Taiwan. China implemented an “infant industry” subsidy similar to the one that passed here last week while Trump was in office. So, China will be producing 7 and 5 nanometer chips very soon.
I think it’s just a matter of time before nobody cares about Taiwan again.
more political theater
It seems Nancy arriving at nighttime to be less visible to China military…! If she indeed spends the night in Taipei she wouldn’t able to sleep because China has planned a large fireworks outside her hotel…!
She just landed. China is full of it, No fireworks. Like Putin said before invading Ukraine; it’s all a western hysteria.
She will not run in 2024.
She’ll retire after 2022 midterms.
ok the pelosis own approx 10,000 shares of stock in a company; NVIDIA which makes semiconductor computer chips – their manufacturing set up is in SURPRISE! taiwan.
pelosi had just finished lobbying for a $50 BILLION uncle sam bail-out of NVIDIA before deciding to visit taiwan (for some reason).
there it is in a nutshell.