-O. Adejo
Nancy Pelosi, the United States Speaker of the House of Representatives, has left Taiwan after a contentious visit that prompted the Republic of China to respond with threats.
In response to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China began preparing for military exercises very close to the Taiwan island’s shores.
The 82-year-old speaker arrived in Taiwan despite threats from Beijing, which considers Taiwan to be its territory and has stated that the visit would be viewed as a major provocation.
As a result, China wasted no time in responding to the visit with what it described as necessary and just military drills off the coast of Taiwan.
Tsai Ing-Wen, the President of Taiwan, has stated that the island of 23 million people will not be intimidated by China’s threats and will continue to defend democracy.
She went on to thank Speaker Pelosi for taking the time to express her support for Taiwan at this critical juncture.
Taiwan has been under Chinese control since 1945, and China does everything possible to keep it isolated on the international stage. Taiwan is not recognized as a country by the United Nations due to its political situation with China.
Nancy Pelosi is the highest ranking elected US official to visit the island in the last 25 years.
United States Speaker Pelosi Departs Taiwan Amidst Threats From China