Speaker Pelosi confirms she will visit Asia but doesn’t mention Taiwan

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced on Wednesday that she will visit Asia, but omitted to mention whether Taiwan will be part of her itinerary.

Pelosi took to Twitter to announce her trip: “I’m leading a Congressional delegation to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America’s unshakeable commitment to our allies & friends in the region. In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea & Japan, we’ll hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further our shared interests & values.”

A statement on her official website read, “In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance. Under the strong leadership of President Biden, America is firmly committed to smart, strategic engagement in the region, understanding that a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe.”

The statement continued, “After a fuel stop in Hawaii, we were honored with a briefing from USINDOPACOM Leadership, as well as a visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial and the USS Arizona. Our Members paid our respects to the valiant Servicemembers who perished in the brutal attack on Pearl Harbor. Throughout our travels, we will continue to convey the endless gratitude of Congress and the Country for our brave U.S. Servicemembers stationed abroad, whose service makes the region and world more stable and safe.”

China’s President Xi Jinping warned President Biden that there would be consequences should the USA interfere on behalf of Taiwan.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre would not entertain any questions in regards to whether Biden was threatened during the phone call, “I’m not going to speak to that statement, that comment that you just read out,” she said.

Statements from China have taken a stern line against any involvement in favour of Taiwan. China’s foreign ministry made a statement about the call to Biden: “The position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan question is consistent, and resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.”

Chinese Military spokesman Shen Jenke said the air force has a myriad of fighter jets, which are capable of circling “the precious island of our motherland,” referring to Taiwan.

Hu Xijin, who is a columnist for the state-controlled news outlet Global Times Tweeted: “The [People’s Liberation Army] has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi’s plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction.” Xijin has since deleted the tweet.