Foreign Ministry Monitors Situation Amid US-China Tensions Over Pelosi's Taiwan Visit

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is closely monitoring the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China as Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is expected to arrive in Taiwan on the evening of the 2nd, emphasizing that the stability and peace of the Taiwan Strait are important.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official responded this way regarding the position on the rising regional tensions due to the possibility of Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

However, at a regular briefing on the same day, Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Eun-joo said, “It is not appropriate for our government to express a position on overseas visits by U.S. congressional officials.”

Deputy Spokesperson Ahn, when asked about the escalating regional tensions, said, “We recognize the importance of stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait and continue to support the peaceful development of cross-strait relations,” adding, “We have always made efforts to contribute to the international community in this regard.”

Speaker Pelosi, who is on a tour of Asia, is reported by Taiwanese media to arrive in Taiwan tonight after visiting Singapore and Malaysia, meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on the morning of the 3rd, and visit the Legislative Yuan (parliament).

In response, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the day before, “China is preparing its position and waiting for the enemy, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never stand idly by.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Pelosi is scheduled to meet with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo in Seoul on the 4th. It is reported that there are no separate plans to meet with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials during her visit to Korea.