According to Flightradar data, a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-40C with the designation 09-0540 lifted off from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and headed toward the Pacific. The flight drew attention as observers tracked it in real time before it touched down at Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii.
Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is reported to be assembling a diplomatic itinerary that could take her through several Southeast Asian nations. Sources indicate plans to visit Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, with a stop in Taiwan appearing on a tentative list. NBC reported that a reviewing source noted Taiwan as an uncertain entry on the schedule, reflecting the sensitivity of any potential stop there.
News outlets noted broad interest in Pelosi’s travels, with roughly 100,000 people following the C-40C’s movements as the flight progressed and later landed in Hawaii.
Pelosi, who holds the third-highest position in the U.S. government hierarchy, was reported to consider a Taiwan visit in August. This would mark the first high-ranking U.S. official to visit the island in about a quarter of a century. Plans had previously placed Pelosi in Taiwan in April, but the trip was postponed due to a coronavirus infection she experienced at that time.
Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that any visit by Pelosi to Taiwan would provoke a decisive response. The defense ministry warned that the military would not observe such actions quietly. Financial Times reported that China had warned of possible military steps, including intercepting the speaker’s aircraft as it neared the island.
CNN reported that Pelosi had received a caution from the White House about the trip, with officials noting that the Chinese leadership might use the situation for political leverage. Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, suggested that Beijing’s hard stance could pressure Pelosi to abandon the plan under President Biden’s influence.
Not decided
The White House left the decision with Pelosi, stating that the speaker has the authority to determine whether to travel to Taiwan. John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, noted that the goal is to provide Pelosi with comprehensive information and analytics to help her make the best choice. NBC reported that lawmakers Gregory Meeks, Mark Takano and others were invited to join the delegation, though some indicated they would be unable to attend.
Fire on the horizon
On July 28, President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time in four months, focusing on Pelosi’s possible trip to Taiwan and broader regional tensions. Xi warned that meddling in Taiwan would bring consequences, while Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to its One China stance. Bloomberg highlighted Biden’s doubts about the trip, citing U.S. military concerns about the timing. Taiwan’s representatives responded that Biden’s remarks conveyed a sense of military danger and suggested U.S.-Taiwan relations were being steered by Beijing.
Reuters described a Taiwan visit as potentially a bold sign of U.S. support, noting that bilateral relations are increasingly tested by disputes over the island. Former President Donald Trump commented that a Pelosi stop in Taiwan could aggravate tensions, calling the move a recipe for trouble and profit. The U.S. administration later approved a substantial arms sale to Taiwan, prompting Beijing to demand cancellation of the deal even as Washington insisted that its One China policy remains unchanged.
Military drills and regional signaling
Beijing has intensified maritime drills, with exercises around the Taiwan Strait and along nearby coastal waters. The People’s Liberation Army began operations near Pingtan Island in Fujian Province, the closest mainland point to Taiwan. Several additional drill areas were announced in the western Qiongzhou Strait between Guangdong and Hainan, and southeast of Dawanshan Island. Preparations for further live-fire practice were outlined near the Leizhou Peninsula in the South China Sea, timed to coincide with the 95th anniversary of China’s armed forces.
These drills underscore the high stakes surrounding any potential U.S. official visit to Taiwan and reflect deeper regional tensions. Analysts emphasize that the United States and Taiwan maintain robust, albeit cautious, security cooperation while Washington continues to balance support for Taipei with its broader strategic goals in the Indo-Pacific region. The evolving posture in the area remains a focal point for Beijing and Washington as they navigate the delicate lines separating diplomacy from deterrence.