Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, announced upcoming travel to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. Taiwan does not appear on the itinerary.
“I am leading a congressional delegation to the Indo-Pacific region and we will hold high-level meetings in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to advance our shared interests,” Pelosi stated.
During this Asia tour, the plan includes discussions on security issues in the region, the ongoing pandemic response, and the climate crisis. Earlier reports suggested Pelosi might visit Taiwan, but Chinese officials reacted strongly, warning that such a move could heighten tensions around the island’s regional ties.
Pelosi departed the United States for Asia the day prior. Real-time footage showed nearly 100,000 viewers following the Boeing C-40C flight as it neared Taiwan, though the aircraft later landed at Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii.
On the same day, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army launched military exercises in the Taiwan Strait near Pingtan Island in Fujian Province, the closest mainland point to Taiwan.
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Georgetown University professor Matthew Kroenig commented that the speaker’s possible trip could be exploited by China in the future. He argued that the Biden administration risks appearing indecisive if Pelosi does not proceed with a Taiwan visit, while making a broader statement about U.S. stance on the issue.
He was quoted as saying that such a move would signal weakness and effectively teach the Chinese Communist Party that U.S. officials can influence travel itineraries, according to a report from Foreign Policy.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, described Pelosi’s potential Taiwan visit as dangerous surrealism. She compared it to a nuclear-powered icebreaker losing course and washing up on foreign shores, framing American actions as alarming and surreal.
Senator Alexei Pushkov suggested that Pelosi’s visit could trigger an open military standoff between the United States and China. He posed three questions about readiness for real war, the necessity of conflict for either side, and whether such a visit justifies escalation. His remarks appeared on his Telegram channel.
Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov warned that Pelosi’s trip might intensify U.S.-China tensions, arguing that the congresswoman could leverage Taiwan for political gain by presenting a strong resolve to Beijing. He framed the trip as an attempt to bolster reelection prospects for the House with a display of firmness.
Former President Donald Trump criticized Pelosi’s involvement in the Taiwan issue, saying the move was aimed at creating trouble and generating attention and money.
Flight history details show Pelosi had originally planned a Taiwan visit in April but contracted the coronavirus. Reports from Politico and the Financial Times indicated discussions about a possible August visit. Pelosi holds the third-ranking position in the U.S. government, and her potential visit would mark a notable event in the island’s diplomatic history in decades.
Reports from CNN on July 27 indicated warnings from the White House that the trip could be used for political purposes by Beijing. Officials noted no formal barrier to Pelosi proceeding, with White House communications asserting that the decision rests entirely with the speaker.
NBC later reported that Pelosi invited Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, who led a Taiwanese delegation in 2021, and Democrat Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano to accompany her, underscoring the significance of the mission in bilateral and regional diplomacy.
Taiwan, Beijing, and the broader regional tension
The Taiwan issue traces back to the 1949 split when the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed, and Taiwan remained under the influence of the Kuomintang. Beijing maintains that only one China exists and that Taiwan cannot be recognized separately from the mainland. The so-called one-China principle remains a core line in Beijing’s diplomacy.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warned that a Taiwan visit by Pelosi would lead to decisive and forceful measures. The Defense Ministry of the People’s Republic of China signaled that the armed forces would not stay quiet. Financial Times sources have noted warnings of possible military responses, including the interception of Pelosi’s aircraft if it approaches Taiwan.