America Won’t Allow China Threaten Taiwan — Nancy Pelosi

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has vowed that America would not watch China threaten Taiwan.

Pelosi made the pledge after arriving in the capital Taipei late Tuesday on a trip regarded as a solidarity call.

It is the first time in 25 years that a senior American official is visiting the Chinese-claimed island.

Pelosi and her delegation landed at Songshan Airport and were received by Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, and top U.S. functionary, Sandra Oudkirk.

In a statement, Pelosi made it clear that her country’s backing for Taiwan was to prevent autocracy in a democratic setting.

It said discussions will focus on reaffirming support for “our partner” and promoting shared interests, including 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 is one of several Congressional delegations to Taiwan – and it in no way contradicts longstanding United States policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, U.S.-China Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances.

“The United States continues to oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo”, the statement concluded.

In a Washington Post opinion piece on the trip, Pelosi hailed Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and chided China for increased tensions.

In reference to the ruling Chinese Communist Party, Pelosi said: “We cannot stand by as the CCP proceeds to threaten Taiwan – and democracy itself.”

The 82-year-old U.S. Speaker is on a tour of Asia and will also visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan.