Pelosi lands in Taiwan, defying Chinese warnings of forceful response

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Source: Washington Post

AIPEI, Taiwan — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) arrived in Taiwan late Tuesday, defying Chinese warnings against visiting the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its territory and setting the stage for a sharp escalation in tensions between China and the United States.

Pelosi touched down at Taipei’s Songshan airport at 10:44 p.m. local time.

Pelosi’s visit has enraged China, which for years has sought to diplomatically isolate Taiwan and views such exchanges with high-level foreign dignitaries as support for the island’s formal independence. The Chinese Communist Party claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy home to 23 million people, as its territory despite never having ruled it. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged to “reunify” Taiwan with China by force if necessary.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/02/nancy-pelosi-visit-taiwan-china-military/

[mopinko]

1. it's about time someone gave china the finger.

[catsudon]

2. very nice

Last edited Tue Aug 2, 2022, 11:58 AM - Edit history (1)

Imagine visiting an independent island as a politician/diplomat. Completely unacceptable!!?!?

&t=49s

[MerryHolidays]

3. I am simply not understanding why China is acting this way

As the article indicates, Newt Gingrich visited Taiwan in 1997 when he was Speaker.

Seriously, Republicans can go visit Putin. Putin can visit Xi. But Speaker Pelosi can't go to Taipei? Right.

[Efilroft Sul]

5. Authoritarians at home and abroad don't like women having the freedom to travel.

[TheFarseer]

42. If speaker Pelosi handed them 4 Super Bowl tickets

They wouldn’t like it and if someone else were the opposition leader they’d be all pissed off about them. And if they had been the opposition leader for a million years like Pelosi, they would be just as fired up about that person.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. I am worried that if China thinks that Russia can invade Ukraine, it may be okay to retake Taiwan

[MerryHolidays]

19. Totally agree

That is why it is imperative that the US supported Ukraine. Otherwise, Putin would continue to invade other countries.

I think Speaker Pelosi's trip is clearly designed to show China not to even think about it. There is probably a huge amount of "diplomacy" going on behind the scenes as part of all this.

[Haggard Celine]

27. That's what I think.

I've been afraid that China would invade Taiwan while Russia was in Ukraine, which would spread our resources very thin. It wouldn't surprise me if Putin and Xi got together and tried to knock the U.S. down. People talk a lot about what Europeans and Americans have done in the world, and there have been some atrocities, but today Europe and the Anglophone nations are keeping us from having a totalitarian hellhole world.

[housecat]

43. I would still like to know why they visited Putin.

[SouthernDem4ever]

61. Pelosi isn't fascist enough

All those others you quoted definitely fit that bill.

[Violet_Crumble]

65. It's because China is growing more and more aggressive...

China has changed and pushes the boundaries more and more, expecting weakness and capitulation from those it challenges. They've taken over Hong Kong, have staged dangerous interceptions of Australian and Canadian warships in international waters, have challenged Japanese sovereignty over some of their outlying islands, and generelly been dicks and bullies. They sense the waning of US power and the rising of their own, which explains their recent very blatant moves to dominate the Pacific.

I just read an opinion piece in the NY Times that praised Pelosi for her stance on China and suggested that a Congress-critter visit Taiwan every week till it gets to the point that China forgets to complain about it. The same article suggested that the US also spend more money on their Navy, so that they overtake China have naval dominance. Not so keen on that suggestion as I think the US should first spend money on lifting so many of its people out of abject poverty, and after that's done then go crazy on asserting military dominance over China.

Republicans are visiting Putin? I didn't know about that. Whoever they are, words can't describe how sick those people are...

[MarineCombatEngineer]

4. Good for her.

Never let a bully dictate what you can and cannot do, it only makes it worse the next time.

[twodogsbarking]

7. Pelosi vs. 1.4 billion people.

Odds seem even.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

9. LOL,

yeah, never tell Speaker Pelosi where she can or cannot go, she'll rip you a new one.

[Polybius]

25. Biden didn't want her to go either

Even he got ripped one.

[LymphocyteLover]

32. suspect he had to say that but doubt he really meant it

[MarineCombatEngineer]

34. Yep,

he didn't seem to push the issue too hard.

[MerryHolidays]

40. There is little doubt that this is all being choreographed.

It's the Speaker of the House going, NOT the President. I think they (President and Speaker) are extremely sensitive to what's going on. However, China has NO right to tell Nancy Pelosi where she can/cannot go.

[niyad]

21. Exactly.

[BradAllison]

8. They didn't have a problem with Lindsey the Loser flitting around there

Weird....

[Pete Ross Junior]

12. Because he doesn't matter. Speaker Pelosi matters. n/t

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. Our delegation's visit to Taiwan honors America's unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan's vibra

Link to tweet

[MarineCombatEngineer]

13. That says it all right there.

Giving China the middle finger, that's our Speaker Pelosi.

[catsudon]

15. best speaker ever in my lifetime

no text

[Marthe48]

11. Where an American chooses to travel is no other country's business

It isn't our states' business either. Hoping the despots in our country notice the similarities between China trying to bar travel by our own Madame Speaker to Taiwan, and the fascists trying to impede interstate travel in our own county.

[Baggies]

14. I suspect China will retaliate in some manner.

It won’t necessarily be a military action, but they’ll do something.

[EYESORE 9001]

23. If it leads to less economic dependence upon China

then I hope China proceeds with actions which hasten that eventuality. China can go suck eggs.

[catsudon]

24. they've already banned imports of some taiwanese food

but they don't have the balls to ban TSMC chips.

[iluvtennis]

16. Excellent news. Who does Xi think he is to dictate what US politicians can/can not do.

[highplainsdem]

17. Brava, brave lady!

[Turbineguy]

18. Repubs would like WW3 to break out

that way they can blame democrats.

Billions will die, but that's OK.

[EX500rider]

59. You think China will try and start WWIII over a visit?

They have more to lose then us, our Navy has the reach to keep the war over there and our subs have the ability to shut down China's seaborne exports & imports, killing their economy. They'd have a tiger by the tail and it wouldn't end well for them, probably in a regime change by popular uprising.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

20. Twenty-six Senate Republicans, including McConnell, issue statement saying:

Link to tweet

[SoFloDenny]

26. Wow! 26 of them. n/t

[867-5309.]

22. Most DUers opposed this in a poll

And now that she's done it, it's great, apparently.

Still dangerous.

[Polybius]

28. I remember that poll

I was once again in the minority, supporting her trip from the start.

[herding cats]

29. I'd wager "most" DUers never saw the poll.

I'm proud of Pelosi.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

41. You're probably right

I don't remember any such poll.

[herding cats]

45. Apparently most of DU is 53 people.

I hadn't seen it either so I searched and dug it up.

88 votes 35 yes, 53 no.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216979320

[MarineCombatEngineer]

46. I changed mine to yes because after careful consideration,

Madam Speaker Pelosi cannot let the Chinese Govt. dictate where she can and cannot visit.

It's only logical.

[William769]

57. I don't remember seeing it.

[JI7]

49. They opposed it because they thought it would not be safe for her

not becsuse they thought she was wrong politically.

[Torchlight]

51. Sounds serious

Good luck.

[pandr32]

30. Best Speaker Ever!!!!!!!!!!!

Her high-heeled footprint will be a hard one for any successor to fill.

[LymphocyteLover]

31. the opposition to this is ridiculous

[jalan48]

33. The US and the UN both support a 'One China' policy. Not sure what her intention is here?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

36. Officially the US does,

however, unofficially, we don't, we send the Taiwanese military weapons, equipment, training, we routinely transit the Taiwan Straits with US warships, along with allied warships, all under the protestations of China.

[jalan48]

37. So she's there supporting the unofficial US policy. Can't she say this?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

38. She has with her actions meeting with high ranking Taiwanese officials. nt

[BumRushDaShow]

48. Here is the State Department's official position of how they view China vs Taiwan (there is a law)

https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-taiwan/

U.S. Relations With Taiwan

Fact Sheet

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

May 28, 2022

U.S.-Taiwan Relationship

As a leading democracy and a technological powerhouse, Taiwan is a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific. Though the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have a robust unofficial relationship. The United States and Taiwan share similar values, deep commercial and economic links, and strong people-to-people ties, which form the bedrock of our friendship and serve as the impetus for expanding U.S. engagement with Taiwan.

Through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a non-governmental organization mandated by the Taiwan Relations Act to carry out the United States’ unofficial relations with Taiwan, our cooperation with Taiwan continues to expand. Taiwan has become an important U.S. partner in trade and investment, health, semiconductor and other critical supply chains, investment screening, science and technology, education, and advancing democratic values.

The United States approach to Taiwan has remained consistent across decades and administrations. The United States has a longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side; we do not support Taiwan independence; and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means. We continue to have an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States makes available defense articles and services as necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability -– and maintains our capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of Taiwan.

(snip)

The variation from "One China" is spelled out in H.R.2479 - Taiwan Relations Act -

Conference report filed in House (03/24/1979)
(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-71)

Taiwan Relations Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, as well as the people on the China mainland and all other people of the Western Pacific area. Declares that peace and stability in the area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern. States that the United States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means and that any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes is considered a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States. States that the United States shall provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character and shall maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan.

Reaffirms as a commitment of the United States the preservation of human rights of the people of Taiwan.

Declares that in furtherance of the principle of maintaining peace and stability in the Western Pacific area, the United States shall make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capacity as determined by the President and the Congress. Requires such determination of Taiwan's defense needs to be reviewed by United States military authorities in connection with recommendations to the President and the Congress.

(snip)

More: https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/house-bill/2479

[jalan48]

50. Thanks for the info. Our policy sounds a bit ambiguous.

[BumRushDaShow]

52. Probably by design

(it seems the U.S. recognized the concept of "the 'Republic of China'" but not really for Taiwan. A similar issue exists with Hong Kong, although the previous administration ditched special exemptions due to China's National Security Law there and the Biden administration had issued a "business advisory" last year for U.S companies operating there. The policy regarding Hong has recently been updated - https://www.state.gov/2022-hong-kong-policy-act-report/

[MarineCombatEngineer]

53. As stated, probably by design,

it keeps the Chinese guessing what the US will do if they decide to roll the dice on Taiwan, just like during the Cold War with the Soviet Union, it drove the Soviet leaders nuts trying to figure out just how far they could push the US/NATO alliance before all out war and when we would authorize the release of nuclear weapons.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

35. For this thread

Link to tweet

[mcar]

39. Madam Speaker is a great leader!

[Hekate]

44. KnR

[IronLionZion]

47. What kind of forceful response?

Russia isn't doing so well in Ukraine. Taiwan is harder to invade.

[myohmy2]

54. when...

...China launches a full scale invasion of Taiwan what will our response be? Give Taiwan everything they want and need?

...who's going to bankroll this fight with China? Us and Japan...?

...I applaud her not taking any bullshit from China but there will be a cost...China drew a line in the sand now it will have to respond...

...do we have the money and will for Russia and China fight?

...how do you like our current round of Ukrainian inspired inflation?...what will our domestic political costs be?

...the pukes love Nancy's trip to Taiwan but they don't vote for us...

...November is going to be very interesting...

[AntiFascist]

55. What happens if/when China decides to collude with Russia? n/t

[myohmy2]

56. and they will...

...and what would our fight with China over Taiwan even look like?...would it be over democracy or computer chips?...which would call into question why we currently have low capacity to produce chips and many other things we need...gasoline on domestic politics...

...and I'm not saying we're a racist nation but we do have our problems...whites still control the economics and politics in this country...

...Ukrainians are white...would we still go to bat for Taiwan with the same resolve and vigor as Ukraine?...I have my doubts...

...this is going to get messy...

[EX500rider]

60. "would we still go to bat for Taiwan with the same resolve and vigor as Ukraine?"

See Korean War

Jun 25, 1950 – Jul 27, 1953
The US suffered 33,686 battle deaths.

[AntiFascist]

64. Are we even prepared to go to bat?

Maybe the thinking is that war is necessary to unite Left and Right? I hope we learn how to treat veterans, at least.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

58. "The Chinese government isn't going to bully me"

Link to tweet

[SunSeeker]

63. Love that! Retweeted! nt

[dalton99a]

66. +1

[SunSeeker]

62. Go fuck yourself, Xi. Pelosi represents the American people, not you. nt

[LetMyPeopleVote]

67. Thank you Speaker Pelosi

Link to tweet

[LetMyPeopleVote]

68. Speaker PelosiCheck out this video of our historic visit to Taipei.

Link to tweet