By Sebastian Pricop, Bobi Neacșu, Wednesday, August 03, 2022, 12:30.Last update Wednesday, 03 August 2022, 15:27House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has come to an end.She stayed for about 18 hours on the territory of the island claimed by China as its territory.Beijing condemned the US official's visit and asked Washington "not to continue down a wrong and dangerous path".In Taipei, Pelosi said she was coming "with peaceful thoughts in the region." "Now more than ever, America's solidarity with Taiwan is crucial," Pelosi said during a meeting with Taiwan's president.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has come to an end.The US official left Taiwan after about 18 hours.She will continue her Asian tour with stops in South Korea and Japan.After the official meetings, on the last part of the visit, Nancy Pelosi spoke to activists in a closed-door meeting at the National Museum of Human Rights in New Taipei City.They included Lam Wing Kee, a Hong Kong activist who fled to Taiwan in 2019 after being detained by China;Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che, who was detained in mainland China in 2017 and released this year;and former Tiananmen Square protester Wuer Kaixi.South Korea called on Wednesday to maintain peace and stability in the region after the visit to Taiwan of the president of the House of Representatives in the American Congress, Nancy Pelosi, strained relations between the US and China, reports AFP, quoted by Agerpres."The position of our government is to maintain close communication with the parties involved (…) considering the importance of peace and stability in the region, through dialogue and cooperation," an official of the presidency in Seoul told the media.Pelosi will arrive in the South Korean capital on Wednesday evening, as part of the Asia tour dominated so far by the Taipei leg."We are excited about Mrs. Pelosi's visit to Korea," said the South Korean official quoted by AFP, adding that he hoped the event would have "many results."Details about the US congresswoman's schedule in Seoul have not been made public.His only confirmed meeting so far is the one on Thursday, with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Kim Jin-pyo.The Taiwanese government has issued a strong condemnation of China's plans to hold live-fire drills at locations around the island - Beijing's main response to Pelosi's visit, according to the BBC.Such exercises "invaded Taiwan's territorial space" and "amount to a blockade of Taiwan's air and maritime space," the military said.The BBC's China correspondent Stephen McDonell tweeted a map published by state media showing the locations of China's planned exercises, which will take place between Thursday and Sunday after Nancy Pelosi leaves.It seems that the main response from mainland #China to the arrival of Nancy Pelosi in #Taiwan could be a series of air and sea live fire military exercises over several days all around the island.See map below... pic.twitter.com/PZVo8rokGXPresident Tsai Ing-wen also criticized China's announced drills, saying they were an unnecessary reaction and that Taiwan was committed to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said its military would "counter any move that violates Taiwan's territorial sovereignty."Beijing says foreign aircraft or ships should not enter the area while conducting the exercises.Taiwan claims this violates international law and global rules on trade and shipping.Shortly before Nancy Pelosi met with President Tsai, Taiwan's cabinet announced that the island's military had raised its alert level, according to the BBC.Authorities are said to be implementing plans to "ensure security and stability around the island" - a response to China's announcement of three days of military exercises that will surround Taiwan starting Thursday.The Taiwanese cabinet added that citizens should feel reassured about their security.US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made several statements during her meeting in Taipei with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen."Today, our delegation, of which I am very proud, came to Taiwan to make it unequivocally clear that we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan and that we are proud of our enduring friendship.Now more than ever, America's solidarity with Taiwan is crucial.And that's the message we're bringing here today," Pelosi said."Taiwan is a trusted partner of the US.We will continue to strengthen cooperation in areas such as Indo-Pacific security and supply chains, so as to further elevate US-Taiwan relations," she added.After thanking Nancy Pelosi and calling her "one of Taiwan's most devoted friends," President Tsai made reference to Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, according to the BBC.She said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the security of the Taiwan Strait another point of interest for the whole world."Aggressions against democratic Taiwan would have an enormous impact on the security of the entire Indo-Pacific," she said."Taiwan will not back down.We will firmly uphold our national sovereignty and continue to maintain the line of defense for our global security,” she added.The Speaker of the US House of Representatives is currently meeting with the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, according to the BBC.Taiwan's president awarded the Order of Auspicious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon to Nancy Pelosi, wrapping her with a blue scarf.Tsai Ing-wen thanked Pelosi for her attention and "unwavering support" for Taiwan.“Speaker Pelosi has long and deep ties to Taiwan.Madam President, I must express my gratitude to you,” Taiwan's president said.The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is currently at the parliament in Taipei.The US official gave a speech in front of the Taiwanese parliament.Nancy Pelosi has said she wants to step up parliamentary exchanges between the US and Taiwan.She called Taiwan "one of the freest societies in the world," according to The Guardian.Pelosi also said that the US chip bill would provide a good opportunity for US-Taiwan cooperation in the chip industry."We come with friendship to Taiwan, we come with peaceful thoughts to the region," she said during a meeting with Tsai Chi-chang, the vice speaker of Taiwan's parliament.During her remarks before the Taiwanese parliament, Pelosi referenced her visit to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, two years after the 1989 massacre of student demonstrators there.The Tiananmen Square protest was a series of popular mass demonstrations that took place mainly in Tiananmen Square in Beijing from April 15 to June 4, 1989 and culminated in the so-called Tiananmen Square Massacre, when the Chinese army armed with assault rifles and tanks opened fire on the demonstrators.The estimated death toll ranges from several hundred to several thousand, with thousands injured.“We were there specifically to make a statement on human rights – our visit was related to security issues.Over the years it has always been about security, economy and governance," she told the deputy speaker of Taiwan's parliament.Pelosi is scheduled to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.She will also meet with several personalities of the civil society and the business environment.US media reported that she is also due to meet with Mark Liu, chairman of Taiwan's largest semiconductor manufacturer, TSMC.Xie Feng, the Chinese vice minister of foreign affairs, summoned the US ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, on Wednesday evening and handed him a protest against the visit of the speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, reported the state media, quoted by The Guardian."These actions were extremely inappropriate, and the consequences will be extremely serious.China will not remain indifferent under any circumstances," Xie Feng said.China's vice foreign minister called on the US to "take effective measures to eliminate the negative impact of Pelosi's unannounced visit to Taiwan."He also stressed that Washington should stop provocations and stop supporting the island's pro-independence forces.China suspends imports of citrus fruits, chilled swordfish and frozen black horse mackerel from Taiwan starting August 3, the Chinese customs authorities announced on Wednesday, informs Reuters, quoted by Agerpres.Earlier in the day, Beijing's commerce ministry said it would suspend exports of natural sand to Taiwan starting August 3.At the same time, China will take disciplinary measures against two Taiwanese foundations, banning them from cooperating financially with mainland companies and individuals, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday.More information: China announces punitive measures against Taiwan after Nancy Pelosi begins visit to TaipeiIn a statement carried by North Korean state media KCNA on Wednesday, North Korea's foreign ministry said Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan "raises serious concern of the international community," according to CNN."The current situation clearly shows that the US's brazen interference in other countries' internal affairs and its deliberate political and military provocations are indeed the root cause of the harassment of peace and security in the region," he said.North Korea thus expressed its support for the Chinese government, stating that "the Taiwan issue is China's internal affairs"."We don't support Taiwan's independence, we support its right to defend itself," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a White House news conference on Tuesday, according to the BBC.The conference was held hours after Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan, drawing Beijing's ire.The official also said that President Joe Biden wants to keep the lines of communication open between the US and China.Asked if China's response to Pelosi's visit — the threats against the U.S. and the announcement of military exercises around Taiwan — was expected, Kirby said yes: "It's consistent with the scenario we expected Beijing to play out."Taiwan announced on Tuesday evening the incursion of more than 20 Chinese military planes into its air defense zone, at the moment when the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress, Nancy Pelosi, began her visit to this island over which Beijing claims its sovereignty, writes Agerpres, which quotes France Presse."21 Chinese military aircraft entered the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ, wider than territorial airspace) in southwestern Taiwan on August 2, 2022," the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense announced in a statement on Twitter.China is trying to threaten ports and key cities, announcing military exercises around the island in the coming days, the ministry said at the same time.The Ministry of Defense states in the same statement that the exercises are intended to intimidate Taiwanese citizens.Officials say, however, that the armed forces have "reinforced" their level of vigilance, and the population has no reason to worry.Russia condemned Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan for the third time in a day.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that, from his point of view, "China is now entitled to take measures to protect its sovereignty", writes the BBC.Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the US House of Representatives president's visit as provocative."We consider a possible visit by Pelosi to Taiwan ... another provocative action by the United States, designed to put additional pressure on Beijing.Russia confirms the principle of "one China" and opposes the independence of the island in any form", said Zakharova.Hong Kong's leader strongly condemned Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, according to the BBC.The territory's new chief executive, John Lee, said his government has "unwavering determination and a clear position against any advocacy of 'Taiwan independence'".Pelosi's visit is tantamount to encouraging "Taiwan independence" and openly defies the one-China principle, he added.Beijing has said in the past that Taiwan could become a special administrative region of China, like Hong Kong.Minutes before the historic arrival of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in Taiwan, Chinese state media claimed that Su-35 fighter jets were crossing the Taiwan Strait, but Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense quickly dismissed the information as false, reports Taiwan News.In response to rumors online that PLA Su-35 fighter jets had crossed the Taiwan Strait, that is fake news.Please follow the correct message from our official website: https://t.co/GOxp06SFWU Meanwhile, we urge netizens not to spread it and strongly condemn this malicious act.On Tuesday evening, at 22:26 local time (17:26 Romanian time), less than 20 minutes before Pelosi's arrival in Taipei, Chinese station CGTN reported that Chinese-operated Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets were crossing the Taiwan Strait without provide additional information.However, the US Air Force Boeing C-40C plane carrying Pelosi and her delegation landed safely at Taipei's Songshan Airport at 10:43 p.m.Pelosi's plane avoided any confrontation with Chinese fighter jets by flying over Indonesia, the eastern Philippines and eastern Taiwan before landing in Taipei, the source said.Referring to Chinese media claims of fighter jets crossing the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's defense ministry said: "The Taiwan Strait rumors are not true."At 11:29 p.m., Chinese broadcaster CGTN quoted Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian as saying the ministry was on "high alert."Wu added that the ministry will "resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity."China has announced that it will hold live-fire military exercises in six areas around Taiwan, according to Taiwannews.com.The exercises start on Thursday and all civilian ships and aircraft will be banned from entering the respective areas between August 4 and 7, the BBC reports.Also on Tuesday, in the context of Nancy Pelosi's visit, China suspended imports from 35 Taiwanese exporters of biscuits and pastries.A warning to that effect had been issued before Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.About two-thirds of Taiwan's exports in 2021 were biscuits and pastries, with a total value of $646 million, according to Taiwanese media.In 2020, the value reached 660 million dollars, accounting for 37% of total exports.It is estimated that more than 100 Taiwanese companies will be forced to stop doing business with China.Nancy Pelosi will meet on Wednesday, August 3, with the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, after which she will leave the island, reports Nexta.Nancy Pelosi will meet with the President of #Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday, August 3, after which she will leave the island in the afternoon local time.📰Taiwan Central News Agency pic.twitter.com/iY5Renj9RMThe Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement of protest against Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, asking Washington to "not continue down a wrong and dangerous path," notes The Guardian.This is a serious violation of the "one China" principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués.It has a serious impact on the political foundation of China-US relations and seriously violates China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement said.China's foreign ministry also says the US official's visit seriously undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and sends the wrong signal to separatist forces for "Taiwan independence".China warns that "these actions, like playing with fire, are extremely dangerous.Those who play with fire will perish because of it" and that "all consequences arising" from Pelosi's visit "must be borne by the American side and the separatist forces who want "Taiwan independence".And Hu Xijin, the former editor of the Global Times, which has ties to China's ruling party, warned of further retaliation from Beijing.Pelosi has landed in Taiwan, opening an era of high-intensity competition between China and the US over the Taiwan Strait.Taiwan is close to the Chinese mainland and Beijing has sufficient cards at hand.We will play them one by one confidently.The PLA is announcing a series of actions."Pelosi landed in Taiwan, ushering in an era of high-intensity competition between China and the US over Taiwan.Taiwan is close to mainland China and Beijing has enough cards up its sleeve when it comes to it.We will play them one by one, with confidence".Nancy Pelosi delivered a message after landing in Taiwan."Our delegation's visit to Taiwan honors America's unwavering commitment to support Taiwan's vibrant democracy," Pelosi said."Our visit is part of our broader Indo-Pacific journey – including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan – focused on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance."Our delegations 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.“Our discussions with Taiwan's leadership will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and advancing our shared interests, including promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.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.""Our visit to Taiwan in no way contradicts the long-standing policy of the United States, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the US-China Joint Communiqués.The United States continues to oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo.”The BBC has presented the first images of the moment Nancy Pelosi steps off the plane and begins her historic visit to Taiwan.US Democrat Nancy Pelosi leaves the plane at the airport in Taiwan The trip is the first by such a senior US official in decadeshttps://t.co/vSY0rSrunh pic.twitter.com/JeWGgzdEZ2She was greeted by local officials and greeted the crowd that had come to greet the arrival of the US official before leaving the airport.❗️Historical footage of the meeting of the two delegations in #Taiwan Local media report that the delegations have already left the airport.pic.twitter.com/yuZvv98a9yThe American official was awaited with welcome messages projected on some of the tallest buildings in Taipei.While many supporters waited for her at the Taipei airport, there were also protests on the streets of Taiwan's capital.Several people displayed placards against the US official.The aircraft that brought the president of the House of Representatives to Taiwan landed at 22:45 local time (17:45 Romanian time).She thus becomes the most important American official to visit Taiwan in the last 25 years, the previous one being the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich in 1997.As Pelosi's plane landed in Taipei, China, which has warned the US it will "pay" if the visit goes ahead, sent more military jets into the Taiwan Strait, The Straits Times reported.Her arrival was awaited by many people near the Taipei airport.There are a lot of people outside #Taipei Airport waiting for Nancy Pelosi's plane to land.pic.twitter.com/Z8TJ2BxKEmThe visit by Pelosi, who is second in line to the US presidency and a longtime critic of China, comes amid worsening ties between Washington and Beijing.China opposed the US official's visit, as official policy is that the island is part of its territory, and the presence of a senior official could be interpreted as an unofficial recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty and interference in Beijing's domestic politics.The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the US would "pay the price for undermining China's sovereign security interests".The White House dismissed China's rhetoric as baseless and inappropriate and stressed that the United States would not be intimidated by Beijing's belligerent statements.John Kirby, a White House strategic communications spokesman, said nothing about Pelosi's possible trip would change US policy toward Taiwan and that Beijing knew that the separation of powers within the US government meant that Pelosi would make her own decisions. regarding the visit."She has the right to visit Taiwan," he insisted.During a phone call last Thursday, Xi Jinping warned Joe Biden that "those who play with fire will only succeed in burning themselves" regarding Nancy Pelosi's possible visit.Biden responded to Xi that US policy on Taiwan has not changed and that Washington firmly opposes unilateral efforts to change current policy or undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly warned that it will use force if necessary to bring the island under its control.Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide the island's future.The US does not recognize Taiwan's independence and has always maintained a position of "strategic ambiguity" on how it would respond in the event of an attack.On Tuesday, ahead of Pelosi's visit, China sent fighter jets close to the "median line" separating the Taiwan Strait, official sources told Reuters.In addition, Beijing also sent more warships.In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense announced that it would appropriately deploy forces in response to "enemy threats."The alert level in Taiwan was "consolidated" from Tuesday morning to Thursday noon, Taiwan's state news agency CNA reported.Images also surfaced on social media that Taiwan has prepared eight Mirage 2000 fighter jets to escort Nancy Pelosi's aircraft.sandu1960 • 03.08.2022, 07:52The USA hopes to make the Chinese fight among themselves, as it did with the Russians and the Ukrainians.Thus, it will strengthen its position as a world leader by weakening its main competitors (the EU is weakening itself!).Log in to your account to add comments and join the conversation.