politics

Pelosi lands in Taiwan, defying China threats

61 Comments
By Amber Wang with Ludovic Ehret in Beijing

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61 Comments

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Good on Pelosi. Showing the United States' unwavering solidarity for the shining democracy that is free Taiwan. Pelosi has been very warmly welcomed by the Taiwanese, and will meet President Tsai Ing-Wen today.

Where are all those voices now claiming Pelosi wouldn't go? "Too scared", these China-supporters said. Yeah, right. Pelosi is now the most hated person in Communist China - she should wear this as a badge of honour.

So, what you gonna do, China? Some lame military exercises offshore to "retaliate"? The whole world is now laughing at China.

Taiwan is NOT Chinese. Never will be!

24 ( +46 / -22 )

Straight talkin’ shootin’ from the hip standing up to China. Seems it’s only popular when some politicians do it.

If it were cruz you know who would be doing backflips.

0 ( +16 / -16 )

Interventionism disguised as "democracy and goodwill" in US style..

So, what you gonna do, China? Some lame military exercises offshore to "retaliate"? The whole world is now laughing at China.

Taiwan is NOT Chinese. Never will be!

I don't see the laughter of the world, only your drama

-21 ( +19 / -40 )

An 82 year old woman.....be afraid...be very afraid

-8 ( +22 / -30 )

aaand she’s there. She’s actually there. Way to go, Nancy. Safe travels. :)

28 ( +44 / -16 )

Sorry China, but the world will not bow to your insecure outbursts.

29 ( +43 / -14 )

As usual incomplete article which leaves out the fact that the US Navy has deployed warships east of Taiwan...of course these deployments are 'routine maneuvers' which just happen to coincide with her visit-

https://japantoday.com/category/world/u.s.-navy-deploys-four-warships-east-of-taiwan-as-pelosi-heads-to-taipei3

-10 ( +10 / -20 )

This is a bold and bipartisan statement of support for Taiwanese self-determination.

This is not a violation of the one China policy. This is a pushback against Beijing's attempt to strangle diplomatically and economically - to present also region into China as a done deal. Well, its not and its not going to be.

Huff and Puff, the PRC is not going to dictate the future of the people of Taiwan.

So Beijing can go pound sand.

24 ( +35 / -11 )

Straight talkin’ shootin’ from the hip standing up to China. Seems it’s only popular when some politicians do it. 

Our same MAGA acolytes who supported sticking it to China by trump, and meeting with Kim (love letters galore) sure seem to suddenly have a problem with sticking it to China and meeting with foreign learners when it could make other nations angry.

Looks pretty hypocritical of them. As always.

6 ( +20 / -14 )

Well done Speaker Pelosi. You have shown, once again, that you have more courage than all of of the right wing whiners back home!!!!

9 ( +28 / -19 )

An 82 year old woman.....be afraid...be very afraid

An 82 year old woman has made a 69 year old man in Beijing very very afraid!!!

23 ( +34 / -11 )

Hope Taiwan can join NATO together with Japan .. That wll silents MR Panda

2 ( +19 / -17 )

I do not like Speaker Pelosi one bit, but this one she got right. Glad to see she went.

14 ( +26 / -12 )

China, with access to 60% of the world market should sanction the US. They should confiscate any US assets overseas and nationalize all USA companies, freeze assets of all US banks, stocks and bonds. Next they should have secondary sanctions on any countries or individuals doing business with US.

That would be better than a war that will destroy Taiwan and Japan as they will be the battleground.

please China, now is the time to act. Apart from 880million people, the whole world is behind you. Be strong, stand tall.

-31 ( +12 / -43 )

One giant step for freedom.

11 ( +26 / -15 )

Sanctions coming our way.

-10 ( +8 / -18 )

Ignore China. Everyone should just ignore them. Just like rocket-boy.

23 ( +32 / -9 )

The sooner the world shifts away from the one-China policy the better. It helped create a monster not unlike Russia. China is not friendly, is not democratic, does not care about human rights and most importantly will use military force when it can.

16 ( +26 / -10 )

Is this just a storm in a tea cup, or is Pelosi ill-conceived visit, a prelude to the Government of China calling Joe Biden's government bluff.

Pelosi will leave Wednesday, the Government of China will bear down on Government and people of Taiwan as never before, think Hong Kong, the treatment of ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

If this visit is a political game play/strategy to boost Biden governments approval rating prior to November mid term elections then it could provoke a backlash at the expense/security of/to the people of Taiwan.

The Government of Russia has wasted little time in a game of winding up the Government of China like a clock

Russia's foreign ministry called Pelosi's visit a "clear provocation," and said Beijing "has the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity over the Taiwan issue."

Pelosi promise of “unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy,” might well be put to the test over the coming weeks.

No past or present US President has dissuaded the Government of China from the course it has chosen, from smothering out any pretence of democracy or recognition for international rule of law.

Pelosi visit could well amount to nothing or goad Chinese President Xi Jinping into evermore acts of brinksmanship. Above and beyond genocide.

-22 ( +3 / -25 )

Crazed warmongers! China should pull the trigger now. Otherwise next step will be the recognition of Taiwan as an independent state. Then military bases in Taiwan. Then nukes in Taiwan.

Experts have been speculating for over a decade or more whether USA will let it's economic power be eclipsed without a fight. Now we have the definitive answer.

The first thing China should do is ask the Russians for hypersonic anti-ship missiles the warmongers openly admit they have no defense against. I'd bet the Russians would grant that request.

-25 ( +8 / -33 )

China, with access to 60% of the world market should sanction the US. They should confiscate any US assets overseas and nationalize all USA companies, freeze assets of all US banks, stocks and bonds. Next they should have secondary sanctions on any countries or individuals doing business with US. 

That would be better than a war that will destroy Taiwan and Japan as they will be the battleground.

please China, now is the time to act. Apart from 880million people, the whole world is behind you. Be strong, stand tall.

Comedy material, ROFL.

Apart from Russia, Iran and N.Korea no one is behind China. Most of the Chinese are not behind the CCP, hope Speaker Pelosi has set in motion the collapse of China and its brutal cronies.

Lots of Chinese bots on the site today, the downvotes are a clear indicator.

20 ( +31 / -11 )

China, with access to 60% of the world market should sanction the US. They should confiscate any US assets overseas and nationalize all USA companies, freeze assets of all US banks, stocks and bonds. Next they should have secondary sanctions on any countries or individuals doing business with US.

That would be better than a war that will destroy Taiwan and Japan as they will be the battleground.

please China, now is the time to act. Apart from 880million people, the whole world is behind you. Be strong, stand tall.

Lol, are you for real? You got China's back HARD on this do ya? GO AUTOCRATS says this guy.

Lol, unreal.

Go Pelosi. I love Taiwan.

Notice the island is being completely surrounded for drills by China between Aug 4 and 7.

20 ( +29 / -9 )

Well done Speaker Pelosi. You have shown, once again, that you have more courage than all of of the right wing whiners back home!!!!

It has nothing to do with courage. This is not over and we can still have repercussions coming back from this. Now, I do think it was admirable for her to go and visit Taiwan, just would have been more impactful had it been a bipartisan visit and she would have brought a Republican representative on this visit.

-19 ( +7 / -26 )

bass4funk

you accused Biden of being weak on China.

19 ( +25 / -6 )

Enjoy your stinky tofu Nancy. I hope it helps in the fall election.

China will ramp up the pressure somehow after she leaves. Not next week, maybe not next month, but soon. I hope it does not involve taking over some of the nearby islands as Chinese on both sides of the straits would die.

-17 ( +6 / -23 )

China is uniting the United States! Even Sen. McConnell is praising her!

We support Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan,” the statement reads.

“For decades, members of the United States Congress, including previous Speakers of the House, have travelled to Taiwan,” it continues. “This travel is consistent with the United States’ One China policy to which we are committed. We are also committed now, more than ever, to all elements of the Taiwan Relations Act.”

https://thehill.com/policy/international/3584386-mcconnell-25-gop-senators-back-pelosi-taiwan-trip/amp/

China will learn you don’t threaten an individual American or the United States.

17 ( +25 / -8 )

"Well done Speaker Pelosi. You have shown, once again, that you have more courage than all of of the right wing whiners back home!!!!"

Neither she nor anyone in her family or close circle is going to fight in a war between PRC and ROC/US. And none of them are going to feel any hardship if the global economy collapses as a result. Doesn't seem like this requires any courage to me.

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

His wife, Elaine Chao, was born in Taiwan. Her father is a shipping magnate. cha-ching

China is uniting the United States! Even Sen. McConnell is praising her!

3 ( +9 / -6 )

It has nothing to do with courage

Not surprising, the right wingers are the exact opposite of what courage stands for.

Speaker Pelosi knew the risks, especially with an unstable and unsound man like xi in China, but she still went ahead.

 just would have been more impactful had it been a bipartisan visit and she would have brought a Republican representative on this visit.

Josh Hawley!!!

0 ( +9 / -9 )

"Those who play with fire will perish by it," Beijing's foreign ministry added.

And yet China continues to play with fire, claiming it owns sovereign Taiwan and threatening the US for contacts with that sovereign nation that is none of China's concern. They need to heed their own advise and stop playing with fire.

please China, now is the time to act. Apart from 880million people, the whole world is behind you. Be strong, stand tall.

Comment from someone who can not read the room. The world stands behind Taiwan and its independence, and also behind the US standing up to Chinese belligerence. Let China go ahead and sanction most nations in the world it would bring a swift end to the reign of Jinping. China supplies cheap worthless goods and the US protects a rules based world from Chinese coercion and bullying. I would be more than happy for my country to have nothing to do with CCP China. China would lose much more than anyone else.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

While the Biden administration is understood to be opposed to Pelosi's Taiwan stop, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said she was entitled to go where she pleased.

Agree with Joe here; he is probably in the phone with Xi right now making concessions.

She is doing nothing for the country.

It's not showing China anything other than that she is out of touch with reality.

This poster says it best:

Alfie NoakesToday  08:52 am JST

Stupid, reckless, vain grandstanding from a corrupt octogenarian with potentially disastrous consequences for everyone alive. The arrogance and entitlement of these people is astonishing. And she's got previous for tacky showboating:

-24 ( +4 / -28 )

you accused Biden of being weak on China.

Yes, that accusation hasn’t remotely changed.

-19 ( +4 / -23 )

Biden hasn't changed any of the policies on China made by Trump.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Yes, that accusation hasn’t remotely changed.

While donald was busy begging money from the Saudi royal family, the same ones who financed 9/11, President Biden managed to take out the 9/11 plotter, Speaker Pelosi called China's bluff........

Pretty strong stuff I would say, but then the right wingers think scamming money off the poor is brave!!!

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Movie recommendation: Team America, world police

3 ( +6 / -3 )

This is Pelosi last hurrah as speaker,she will be replaced by a more progressive member,she only has to answer to her caucus,they decide her fate as leaders,they are not complaining about her visit

-18 ( +0 / -18 )

Not a surprise that the most rabid opponents of Pelosi being invited by and visiting free Taiwan are at the same time the most ardent supporters of Russia's illegal invasion of sovereign Ukraine.

According to them, invading a sovereign nation and killing tens of thousands of innocent citizens is OK - but Pelosi being welcomed into free Taiwan is "reckless", "dangerous" and "crazed warmongering".

It is clear where their alliances are - and it is not democracy.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

what a "hero" LOL

-12 ( +7 / -19 )

GOP senator Roy Blunt and Mitch both stand with Pelosi in supporting Democracy and self-determination for the people of Taiwan.

The ONLY people discounting it are the FFG, his sycophantist rubes and PRC apologists.

So, the company one keeps, eh?

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

The Government of China strategy could begin with a blockade of Taiwan, choking off a major global source of semi-conductors, much needed in everything from phones, computers, cars and every electrical appliance one can wave a stick at.

There is little doubt Nancy Pelosi is a genuine principled politician, once ejected from China for waving a protest flag in Tiananmen Square proclaiming the slaughtering of innocent students fight for democracy.

However dictators must be tackled head on, the stakes could not be higher.

Will Joe Biden's Government be prepared to back up this visit with such action?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

when will China stop being dumb

11 ( +15 / -4 )

NemoToday  09:40 am JST

GOP senator Roy Blunt and Mitch both stand with Pelosi in supporting Democracy and self-determination for the people of Taiwan. 

The ONLY people discounting it are the FFG, his sycophantist rubes and PRC apologists.

Touching to see some people supporting her, when even the Biden administration opposed her going there.

Someone has to tell grandma her license expired and not to drive the car anymore.

-14 ( +4 / -18 )

The Government of China strategy could begin with a blockade of Taiwan, choking off a major global source of semi-conductors, much needed in everything from phones, computers, cars and every electrical appliance one can wave a stick at.

No, they cant do that without starting a war. It is not just the US that needs Taiwan semiconductors. Asia, Europe, the US and everyone else that manufactures goods that require them would be effected and would join in any war that China starts. China cant fight the world and win. If they try they will lose very badly and undergo regime change.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Good for her. There are 23 1/2 million people there who don't want to be part of the mainland. And who can blame them.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Agism comments are discrimination. 

Pelosi 82. 

Biden 79. 

Trump 76. 

Trump in 2024 78, 

Trump in 2029 will be 83.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Democracy, democracy, always democracy. Don't you get tired of hearing this word continually ? Everything in the name of democracy.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

Please, do us all a favor, on her way out.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

For the CCP :

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..............................

6 ( +15 / -9 )

painkiller

Touching to see some people supporting her, when even the Biden administration opposed her going there.

How do you know that statement is even true? It's only what the administration said in public.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The warning signs were screaming, blaring decades ago with the government of China preposterous claims to and the subsequent territorial disputes in the South China Sea!!!

Then the Government China construction of ports, military installations, airstrips in the Paracel and Spratly Islands, where it has twenty and seven military outposts on fortified sand castles.

The US Government did nothing but watch, twiddling there thumbs, fiddling whilst Rome burned.

Joe Biden was vice president at the time.

So where is the evidence that this US Government will behave differently?

Too little to late, a visit that amounts to nothing more than political posturing.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Idiotic from Pelosi. But not a surprise.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

But he would be leaving office by then.

You spelled prison wrong!!!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Well done Taiwan.

China wants to dominate who does what around the world? Screw them. None of their business.

Send British politicians there next, Japanese, Europeans, etc.

Everyone needs to to defy China.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

The independent country of Taiwan

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Bubonam Justin Kayce

Because he is. He denounced her visit. Or have you read anything pertaining to the subject?

We only know what was said in public. Would the escort of her plane by five US fighter planes need the permission of the president?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

wallaceToday  10:39 am JST

Touching to see some people supporting her, when even the Biden administration opposed her going there.

How do you know that statement is even true? It's only what the administration said in public.

Asked and answered.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

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