House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Says U.S. Commitment To Taiwan Is ‘Ironclad’

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei on Wednesday, and reaffirmed America’s support for the self-governed island despite repeated warnings from China.

“Now more than ever, America’s solidarity with Taiwan is crucial, and that is the message we are bringing here today,” Pelosi said.

The California Democrat is leading a leading a congressional delegation to Asia that began in Singapore on Sunday. Pelosi’a arrival in Taiwan made her the highest ranking U.S. official to visit the island in 25 years. She said her discussion with Tsai focused on security, the economy and governance.

The house speaker also said the U.S. wouldn’t abandon the island, adding that “America’s determination to preserve democracy here in Taiwan and around the world remains ironclad.”

During an earlier ceremony, Tsai awarded Pelosi with Taiwan’s top honor, the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon in gratitude for the house speaker’s longstanding support of Taiwan.

Tsai also took the opportunity to reiterate its aim to be a reliable U.S. partner in the region.

“Taiwan is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Wen said. “And we will make Taiwan a key stabilizing force for regional security, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific as well as stable development of global trade and supply chains.”

Pelosi’s visit comes just months ahead of China’s 20th national party congress, where President Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term as leader.

China, which regards the self-ruled island as part of its own territory, has announced military drills and missile tests that will take place from Thursday to Sunday.

The show of force, carried out by the People’s Liberation Army in six exclusion zones encircling Taiwan, includes live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait as well as in the eastern waters off Taiwan’s coast.

Beijing has also levied a series of economic sanctions on Taiwan this week. China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would suspend natural sand exports to the island based. And in a separate statement, the country’s General Administration of Customs said it would halt the import of certain fruits and fish from Taiwan after detecting excessive pesticide residues as well as testing positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said the visit “gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for ‘Taiwan independence.’”

In a call with U.S. President Joe Biden last week, President Xi also warned him against efforts to support Taiwan. “Those who play with fire will perish by it. It is hoped that the U.S. will be clear-eyed about this,” the Chinese leader said, according to a read-out of the call.