The plane carrying House Speaker Pelosi has landed in Taiwan, marking the arrival of the highest US official to Taiwan since 1997. The Boeing C-40C carrying the US House Speaker departed from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Pelosi stayed yesterday, flew over the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi, turned north, flew east of the Philippines and then headed for Taiwan.
Upon arrival, Pelosi stated that her visit does not violate the US' official policy towards the self-ruled island. The lawmaker went on to accuse Beijing of unilateral efforts to change Taiwan's status-quo.
"Our Congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan 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," Pelosi said in her statement.
The US House speaker said that during her talks with the Taiwan leadership, she will discuss issues of promoting shared interests of the island and the US "including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region".
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, however, disagreed with her evaluation, condemning the House speaker's visit as a direct violation of the "One-China" principle and the provisions of three Sino-US communiques. Beijing condemned Pelosi's trip to Taiwan as a "provocation" and an intervention into China's internal affairs.
Tensions on the Rise Amid Pelosi's Visit
Reports of Pelosi's plans to make a stop in Taiwan triggered tensions between the US and China, which harshly opposed the lawmaker's visit to the island that Beijing considers a part of its territory.
The Chinese military has moved armored units and other military equipment closer to the Taiwan Strait, while the US deployed one of its aircraft carriers in the region in proximity to the island. Ahead of her visit, Taiwanese press claimed that Pelosi would arrive at Taipei airport at around 22:00 local time (15:00 GMT), stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and visit the island's legislature and meet its leaders the next morning.