US Representative Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of her visit to Taipei as US House of Representatives speaker with a statement praising the trip as a testament to the US’ “unwavering commitment” to Taiwan.
The former speaker said her delegation’s visit to Taiwan from Aug. 2 to 3 last year sent “an unequivocal message” to the world that “America stands with Taiwan as it defends itself and its freedom.”
The visit did not represent a change in the US’ long-standing “one China” policy but instead “honor[ed] the unwavering commitment America has made to Taiwan” based on their common interest in security and economics, as well as shared values, Pelosi said.
Photo: Presidential Office via Reuters
Solidarity with the people of Taiwan is “as important as ever, as our world faces a stark choice between democracy and autocracy,” she wrote. “Beijing’s continued aggression against Taiwan is cowardly and cannot be met with silence.”
Pelosi’s Taiwan trip, which made her the highest-ranking US official to visit the country in 25 years, had been met with a “very positive” response from all over the world and was followed by more bilateral engagement, she said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday in a statement thanked Pelosi for her support for Taiwan, and said it would continue working with global partners to defend democracy, freedom, human rights and the rules-based international order.
Pelosi’s visit prompted Beijing to launch a series of retaliatory measures against Taiwan, including conducting week-long large-scale military exercises around the country to simulate a blockade.
During her 19-hour stay in Taiwan, Pelosi, joined by five other Democratic members of the House of Representatives, met with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the Presidential Office and Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫?) at the legislature.
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