His visit was no longer in doubt. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, arrived in Taiwan on August 2. Footage broadcast live from television showed Mme Pelosi, 82, greeted by Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s foreign minister.
Upon her arrival, the senior US official said her visit showed the “unconditional support” from the United States to the island, while affirming that his arrival does not “contradict[sait] not US policy toward China.
Beijing denounces an “extremely dangerous” attitude
This trip is indeed likely to raise tensions between Beijing and Washington. Nancy Pelosi is the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan since her predecessor Newt Gingrich in 1997.
China immediately denounced the attitude “extremely dangerous” the United States. Earlier, Beijing claimed that “The United States will certainly have the responsibility [des conséquences de la visite] and will have to pay the price for their attack on China’s sovereignty and security.”in the words of the spokesperson for Chinese diplomacy, Hua Chunying. “The American side has betrayed its word on the Taiwan issue”also deplored Wang Yi, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, in reference to the commitment of the United States, since 1979, to have no official relationship with Taiwan.
Beijing considers the island as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary, and has repeatedly warned Washington against the arrival of the senior official, which would be experienced as a major provocation.
Shortly before the announcement of the landing of Mme Pelosi, Chinese television CGTN reported that “Chinese Su-35 fighter jets” were in the process of “Crossing the Taiwan Strait”which separates mainland China from the island claimed by Beijing.
If the White House is embarrassed by the situation, John Kirby, its spokesman for defense matters, said Monday that Mr.me Pelosi had “the right to visit Taiwan”. “There is no reason for Beijing to make this visit, which does not derogate from long-standing American doctrine, a form of crisis”he added.
Constant threat
Although most observers rate the likelihood of an armed conflict as low, US officials have said they are preparing for possible displays of force by the Chinese military, such as missile strikes in the Taiwan Straits or massive air raids. around the island.
On Tuesday, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said in a statement, ” determined “ to protect the island against threats from China.
The United States practices with regard to Taiwan a diplomacy known as“strategic ambiguity”, consisting of recognizing only one Chinese government, that of Beijing, while continuing to provide decisive support to Taipei but refraining from saying whether or not they would defend the island militarily in the event of an invasion. John Kirby assured, like Nancy Pelosi, that this policy remained unchanged.
A “very dangerous and very provocative” visit
The 23 million Taiwanese live under the constant threat of an invasion from China, this fear having increased since the coming to power of President Xi Jinping, who has made reunification a priority. Last week, during a telephone conversation with the American president, Mr. Xi called on the United States not to “don’t play with fire”.
“As we see it, such a visit seems very dangerous and very provocative”added at a press conference the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun. “If this visit takes place, it will also weaken the relationship between China and the United States, I am sure that the United States understands this”, he added. Russia, a major ally of China, has also accused the Americans of “destabilize the world” and describes Nancy Pelosi’s visit as a « pure provocation ».
In support of their message, the Chinese military released a martial tone video on the Internet on Monday showing soldiers shouting that they are ready for combat, fighter jets taking off, paratroopers jumping from planes and even a rain of missiles that annihilate various targets.