politics

U.S. House Speaker Pelosi begins Asia tour; no mention of Taiwan

64 Comments
By Yew Lun Tian

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64 Comments

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Do us all a favor, go to Taiwan.

19 ( +36 / -17 )

Maybe her purpose was to put Taiwan in the media's attention and show China to be the aggressor. It worked.

19 ( +25 / -6 )

Just go and make China eat their words! Show them the US doesn’t take orders from Beijing and show them just how ruthless you can be.

7 ( +21 / -14 )

Will be interesting to see who blinks first on this one.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

The infantile tantrum from the CCP is expected but Pelosi's move, if she went, is needlessly provocative and selfish because she's not doing it to fly the flag but to shore up support in her own district.

The 32% Asian bloc in CA's 12th ain't too pleased with her woke policies. 

Sneak ashore on a rubber dingy, plant the BLM and Pride flag and call it a day's work for the speaker.

-9 ( +12 / -21 )

Maybe her purpose was to put Taiwan in the media's attention and show China to be the aggressor. It worked.

or…. It’s more likely that they would back down and wanted an excuse to do so. Everything she has done until now has been self-serving for her and not in the best interest of her country. Why would this time be any different?

I hope I’m wrong and that she still goes but I’m highly skeptical.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Nancy, welcome to Asia

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pelosi do not dictate the policy of the President,unless she put stipulations that they have too adhere too as a condition to get funding

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

"Do us all a favor, go to Taiwan."

Giving CCP the excuse to start WW3 isn't a favor to anyone.

-9 ( +10 / -19 )

Many, many US congress people, high level defence people etc have visited Taiwan.

What scares the Chinese about Pelosi .?

The cost of war with Taiwan would outstrip any benefit of occupation to China.

Taiwan is an independant country .

It's not as if China lacks size or land mass.

16 ( +21 / -5 )

I don’t understand why the Chinese are scared of Speaker Pelosi. Is it because of freedom?

11 ( +20 / -9 )

Go to Taiwan. No government has the power to control what America does and will do. We are the wild card.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Maybe the Democrats will lose the the House in November. This is the last change for Pelosi to visit Taiwan as Speaker.

Then a Republican Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, will visit to show how it’s done.

-13 ( +6 / -19 )

Is there a benefit to the US or it's allies to inflaming China right now? If so, I can't see it. It would seem like a very good time to chill out.

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Would Pelosi really fly into Taiwan with a US Air Force escort?

Rub mud in the faces of the Chinese?

I would show restraint as I have never understood the bellicose sentiments that Americans possess.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

antifunToday  08:06 am JST

"Do us all a favor, go to Taiwan."

Giving CCP the excuse to start WW3 isn't a favor to anyone.

Aggressors do not need to be "given" excuses to start a war. They create them.

Pelosi shoulud absolutely visit Taiwan. It was foolish of China to turn the visit into something bigger than it is. Let them be humiliated.

5 ( +16 / -11 )

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, if she chooses to visit Taiwan, will be on a US military aircraft (with others certainly in the same airspace). The bluster from Shen Jinke is unnecessary and does not help calm down the situation.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

I really think, threatening The speaker of the house is borderline an act of war. She is not the first speaker to visit Taiwan. Multiple congress representatives have been to Taiwan this year.

The endless saber rattling by the Chinese is getting old.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

Speaker Pelosi should go to Taiwan. She should just send her plane and escort while she stays in Tokyo. That will drive China nuts.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

As Taiwan is part of China, why doesn’t she just go to Beijing instead. The radical insurgent separatists can’t simply fly to Beijing and meet her there. No WW3.

-17 ( +3 / -20 )

If Pelosi is invited, she absolutely should visit free Taiwan. Reinforce the friendship and unshakeable defense bond between the US and Taiwan.

What right does a foreign Commie dictatorship have to demand otherwise?

8 ( +14 / -6 )

Plenty of work in the US. Why stir the pot overseas when she can do it at home?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

A business associate of mine says Pelosi's visit to Taiwan isn't making that much news over there.

My guess is that the Taiwanese just intend to do whatever it takes to keep China at bay regardless of Pelosi's visit.

It's business as usual.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I did not intend to annoy mainland china, as much as I despise them, but I DID think they might do us all’s favor.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

The coming conflict with China has been discussed in forums and books. Escalating Taiwan tensions into a conflict gives America a chance at winning, unlike a Cold War arms race.

An arms race would eventually be won by China. I It is on its way to being richer and stronger than than the U.S. The source of America's military strength has to be its economy and we know that is is over 30 trillion in debt. If you believe the chickens will come home, then the economic costs could be crippling. It will only add more stress to the economy.

Instead, the US can push China into a limited conflict over Taiwan, with the media painting China as the bully and the US as the white knight. Done right, the skirmish would unite the rest of the world’s countries against China and on to the American side.

The media tried with Xinjiang and the Uighurs but people got tired and don't care about million and millions being put in camps. Ukriane diverted attention. They tried with Hong Kong but China took care of that. Now it's on to Taiwan but we know it won't work because if you talk to Taiwanese in Japan and China, they are discussing deals.

You can't make people fight if they don't want to even if you arm them free or charge.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

She said thing,only people she have to answer too is the voter in her district,lots are Chinese

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The reason China has built illegal bases in the sth China sea and continued to flout international law is because no-one has been brave enough to call their bluff. Letting bullies get off Scott free only emboldens them!

5 ( +9 / -4 )

There's way too much drama here. The media is going into overdrive to create tension.

Those of you who appear to be hoping for some kind of military confrontation need to put down your video controllers. In the real world there are real consequences.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

CCP is a dictatorship fueled by a totalitarian central grab of power. Their survival depends on the power they can command with the threat of their military and nuclear arsenal. At some point if they calculate that the damage they can deal to the west by economic destruction and destabilization of the western governments outweighs their own losses, they will not hesitate to go to war which will cause the deaths of thousands if not millions of Taiwanese people. Like it or not, they hold the Taiwanese people hostage. Testing whether or not they are bluffing is a dangerous game.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

And? I live nearby. The Chinese American community in the SF Bay Area is diverse with people born in America or immigrating from Taiwan, Hong Kong, The Mainland, Vietnam and other countries as well. Some are pro PRC, some are pro Taiwan.

She said thing,only people she have to answer too is the voter in her district,lots are Chinese.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

The reason China has built illegal bases in the sth China sea and continued to flout international law is because no-one has been brave enough to call their bluff. Letting bullies get off Scott free only emboldens them!

Exactly.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Narcissists like Pelosi are extremely dangerous. Once they get bored of their wealth, political power, and plastic surgery, they turn their attention to being immortalised by history. I think Pelosi actually wants WW3 and she wants to be remembered as the one who triggered it.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I really don’t think America, under the Biden administration, has been playing with fire. If anything it’s China that’s been playing with fire. Like general Yamamoto said after Pearl Harbor: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”

4 ( +9 / -5 )

HercolobusToday  09:07 am JST

Plenty of work in the US. Why stir the pot overseas when she can do it at home?

got her eye on an ambassdor post perhaps? wants to show her 'international credentials'.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Pelosi, couldn’t think of a worse candidate to pull this important mission off. She’s an absolute joke and get the feeling that she is doing this for her own reasons and popularity points. Turning Taiwan into a virtue signal. Both her and Biden, they are walking disasters , babbling fools who’s only skill seems to be to embolden their foes.

She HAS to go now, go Pelosi, put your life on the line for your cause! Put that money where the mouth is. Try not to make it all about YOU too , if possible, that would be nice. It’s a long overdue gesture from the free world to an island nation that risk everything for what they believe in, democracy. Who knows thorough this could be your moment to shine. Let’s see.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

David BrentToday  09:06 am JST

What an awful, awful woman she is. Embodies everything wrong with politics. A career politician who has never held a proper job; spent decades getting rich off the taxpayer.

yes, not a lot of altruism to be found among the political class I'd say.... don't suppose it was ever any different, but 'they' tend to be profligate in their disdain for 'the people' these days.....

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

And the Chinese are scared of Pelosi because she’s a hardcore liberal and second in-line to the presidency. A visit may not be overtly aggressive but it’s symbolism and symbolism means a lot and the Chinese are clearly scared of America. They wouldn’t use such language otherwise.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Another geriatric USA official stirring up trouble in Asia

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

You know what, since I STILL can’t get into Japan, maybe it’s about time I finally go visit Taiwan. I know a few people there, see you on the beach

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Funny how women can always get China's goat. Tsai and Pelosi. China is afraid of little women. LOL

3 ( +9 / -6 )

All these commenters talking about America this America that ...Newsflash !! Absolutely nowhere in the article does it mention the word America.

The article is referring to the United States because America is two continents and 57 countries.

In actual fact Hawaii ,Samoa , Guam ,Northern Mariana ,Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands aren't contiguous or continental U.S. or even part of the American continent.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

@Gaijinjland

Chinese are clearly scared of America

China is definitely not scared of the USA.

Quite the opposite actually !

that should be obvious to anyone who's actually paying attention

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

China is definitely not scared of the USA.

Quite the opposite actually !

Especially with this administration in charge.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

When Biden came to office he kept the same China policies as Trump. This administration is no different than the previous one.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I just wish China and the USA could have dealt with this in private if China was THAT adament/offended/upset about her visit.

But everyday China is issuing public threats with scowls on their faces to the world...

Japan don't build your military

South Korea don't break the "3 Nos agreement"

USA he who plays with fire shall perish by it..

Imagine the leader of a world power country, highest politician in the country saying that to another world leader. To talk that way...

So by making it so public, each country has to save face. Which is a pathway to some potentially dangerous events..

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Bass

Especially with this administration in charge

Exactly !

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

When Biden came to office he kept the same China policies as Trump. This administration is no different than the previous one.

Very different, the last administration wanted to keep the tariffs in place, this administration does not and might not, no other administration called called China out except for the last, this one will not. The last administration called China directly about their human rights record or called them out for their lack of accountability concerning the Wuhan virus, so yes, there is a major difference in policy, execution and political stance.

https://www.newsweek.com/mocking-us-adversaries-shows-biden-admin-neither-feared-nor-respected-opinion-1577937

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Appeasement on the cards. Yes China! No problem China!

once there economy goes in the toilet, (sooner or later) like any country, they’ll invoke nationalism, take the island, to deflect attention from the CCP problems.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

hey zombie.

your visit of Taiwan is just pure provocation of China.nothing more nothing less.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Biden has not changed Trump's China tariffs.

Not yet, give it time.

https://nypost.com/2022/07/04/biden-may-lift-chinese-tariffs-in-bid-to-tackle-inflation-report/

In a recent 2 hour call to President Xi Biden called him out on human rights issues.

And yet, the Chinese verbally threatened to shoot a US government plane out of the sky and Biden’s response? Capitulation and Pelosi most likely not going in order to not agitate the Chinese and appease them.

Gas prices at the pumps are falling again.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/gas-prices-are-still-too-high-despite-recent-drop-says-biden/ar-AAZTvNI

and that’s from msnbc, no conservative outfit.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

The Democratic Party has long relied on Chinese money to remain in power, and will not allow the deranged alcoholic Pelosi to embarrass their benefactors.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Peloton will definitely go because to not do so now would e the sam as running away from a bully. She’s tough and she’ll go.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

And yet, the Chinese verbally threatened to shoot a US government plane out of the sky and Biden’s response? Capitulation and Pelosi most likely not going in order to not agitate the Chinese and appease them

To be fair, this was said by some Chinese media radical wasn't it? Dude, has had some scandalous extra marital affairs. Bit of a nut job.

It wasn't an official line/threat from the government itself. Xi didn't say that to Biden.

I won't hold the govt responsible for that, anymore than those cheering Abe's death. (Which the govt essentially went on to say afterwards).

I believe a Republican, nevertheless responded to that if China were to shoot her plane, that THAT was tantamount to China declaring war on the US.

Cant remember if the guy was a politician or just a media radical like the "shoot the plane out of the sky" guy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The 32% Asian bloc in CA's 12th ain't too pleased with her woke policies. 

Nothing inherently wrong with waking up, unless you are racist and refuse to accept that discrimination and racism exists in America.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

bass4funk

When Biden came to office he kept the same China policies as Trump.

and started to change more and more of them, Not to mention this administration is allowing China to purchase more farms in the US, why would they allow that? Why would they allow the Chinese to buy into our domestic produce?

China does not buy farms. China is a country. Chinese companies were buying farmland before Biden came to office.

"By the beginning of 2020, Chinese companies possessed $1.9 billion in American agricultural land, amounting to approximately 192,000 acres of the almost 900 million acres of farmland in the U.S."

https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/07/chinas-suspicious-land-grab-in-america/

Canadian investors hold the largest share of this land, at 29 percent, with the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom collectively owning another 33 percent. The remaining 38 percent is held by entities from almost a hundred other countries.

https://www.csis.org/analysis/foreign-purchases-us-agricultural-land-facts-figures-and-assessment-real-threats

You could ask why does China allow American companies to do business in China?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Gurumick

Taiwan is an independent country

Sorry but that's not true !

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

China does not buy farms.

Semantics.

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/07/china-is-buying-billions-in-us-farmland-and-lawmakers-are-scrambling-to-try-to-stop-them/#:~:text=U.S.%20lawmakers%20are%20acting%20with%20increased%20concern%20as,valued%20at%20about%20%241.9%20billion%2C%20according%20to%20Politico.

China is a country. Chinese companies were buying farmland before Biden came to office.

And it has been excelling under this administration

Canadian investors hold the largest share of this land, at 29 percent, with the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom collectively owning another 33 percent. The remaining 38 percent is held by entities from almost a hundred other countries.

None of these countries have a military strategic interest in displaced in the US or even planning to cripple the US or what other nefarious purpose. Not to mention these countries are not hostile adversaries to the US.

You could ask why does China allow American companies to do business in China?

Doing business on a limited basis and trying to acquire land is something to Chinese would never allow, ever.

https://www.independentsentinel.com/chinas-buying-us-farmland-near-us-military-bases/

And They are buying more farmland near military bases, no why is that? That is very concerning.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Dear President Xi,

If it is true that taiwan is yours, then please take a trip there. How about tomorrow or perhaps Wednesday?

After all, it is part of China, right? You can go there at will, right?

You would not be lying to us,would you?

PS: What is with the title of 'president'?? I do not see any democratic elections on the calendar!?!? I am confused.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Under Trump the trade deficit between US and China grew.

That’s why Trump started the tariff war to push China into being a fair player. He used terrorists as a legend and he said from the get go that it was going to be painful, but it needed to be done to show the Chinese we are not going to be pushed around, and I did get their attention and a big level that nothing America’s done has gotten to talk to before that.

In other words, the Chinese economic advantage grew. 

Well, near the end of trumps last presidency before Biden took office it was, so we don’t know where it was going has trump won a second term, but under this administration it has definitely grown and will continue to grow and as long as this administration continues to capitulate and appease the Chinese government that will slow down or stop.

It probably did not help that Trump and half his advisors did not understand what a tariff is

He knew full well what it was, and so did the Chinese as well, but they had no idea that Trump had the gall to use it. But now as with every other adversary country that is against US does it administration has emboldened them and they have no fear of this president whatsoever.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Visiting Taiwan would be like a cherry on top of Pelosi’s Asian trip and standing up to a bully at the same time. She’ll go there!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

As the article says and i quote

Including visits to Singapore ,Malaysia ,South Korea and Japan

The visit would include those countries

Including ...as in those 4 countries will not be the only places visited.

Taiwan isn't a country anyway.

Obviously she will be making other visits somewhere

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

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