US Power Hierarchy No.3 Pelosi Visits Taiwan... China Begins Military Demonstration

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] As Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and third in the U.S. power hierarchy, set foot on Taiwanese soil on the 2nd despite strong opposition from China, tensions surrounding the Taiwan Strait have reached a peak. China immediately announced a large-scale military demonstration encircling Taiwan.

According to major foreign media, the C-40C transport plane carrying the U.S. House delegation, including Speaker Pelosi, arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport in Taiwan at around 10:44 p.m. local time that night. Speaker Pelosi is scheduled to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for a meeting and luncheon on the 3rd. Afterwards, she is expected to visit the Legislative Yuan (parliament) and the Human Rights Museum, meet with Chinese dissidents, and depart around 4 to 5 p.m. It is the first time in 25 years since Newt Gingrich in 1997 that a U.S. House Speaker has visited Taiwan.

Upon arrival, Speaker Pelosi stated in a press release, "The visit of the U.S. congressional delegation to Taiwan is based on America’s firm commitment to support Taiwan’s vibrant democracy," emphasizing, "At a time when the world faces a choice between dictatorship and democracy, America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important today than ever." This statement is interpreted as emphasizing that her visit to Taiwan is in defense of American democracy.

The Taiwanese Presidential Office welcomed the visit, saying, "We hope that Speaker Pelosi’s visit will deepen the Taiwan-U.S. partnership and help maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated, "Speaker Pelosi’s visit demonstrates America’s rock-solid support for Taiwan and will strengthen Taiwan-U.S. relations."

China responded immediately with a strong reaction. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement through China Central Television (CCTV) right after Pelosi’s arrival in Taiwan, saying, "All consequences arising from this must be borne by the United States and Taiwan independence separatist forces," and claimed, "The United States has attempted to suppress China through Taiwan, continuously distorted the 'One China' principle, and strengthened official exchanges with Taiwan to support Taiwan independence and separatist activities. This is a very dangerous fireplay, and those who play with fire will surely be burned to death."

In particular, China also declared all-out military demonstrations. On the night of the 2nd, Lieutenant Colonel Sui, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army responsible for Taiwan, announced joint naval and air exercises in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern waters and airspace of Taiwan, as well as long-range live-fire artillery drills in the Taiwan Strait. Additionally, live-fire tests will be conducted in the eastern waters of Taiwan. The Chinese Ministry of National Defense stated through a spokesperson, "The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity through a series of targeted military actions."

With the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (Party Congress) scheduled this fall to confirm Xi Jinping’s third term, President Xi is inevitably sensitive to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Major foreign media have assessed that President Xi wants to project a strong image on the Taiwan issue. This is also why he made harsh remarks such as "Those who play with fire will be burned" during a previous phone call with President Joe Biden. The fireplay-related remarks were included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement that day as well.

However, it has not yet been confirmed whether Chinese and U.S. military aircraft engaged in extreme confrontation during Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The private plane carrying Speaker Pelosi reportedly took a detour avoiding the South China Sea route claimed by China, taking seven hours from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia to Taipei Songshan Airport. The Biden administration, which has voiced concerns about China, is also moving toward a situation where it must define China’s military activities around Taiwan as provocations and respond accordingly.