Nancy Pelosi Delivers Speech In Front Of Taiwan Parliament: China Summons US Ambassador, Suspends Some Imports From Taipei

Nancy Pelosi on arrival in Taiwan. (Instagram/speakerpelosi)

JAKARTA - US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed Taiwan's parliament on Wednesday, with later meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen and human rights activists.

That left China with, with Beijing condemning the highest-level US visit to Taiwan in 25 years as a threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, responding with a flurry of military exercises, summoning the US ambassador in Beijing, and announcing the suspension of some agricultural imports from Taiwan.

Pelosi arrived in Taipei late on Tuesday on an unannounced but closely watched trip, saying it showed the United States' unwavering commitment to the self-governing island that Beijing says is part of China.

On Wednesday, Pelosi thanked President Tsai Ing-wen for her leadership, calling for increased inter-parliamentary cooperation.

"We thank you for your leadership. We want the world to recognize that," Pelosi said.

"We commend Taiwan for being one of the freest societies in the world," Pelosi said.

She also said the new US law aimed at strengthening America's chip industry to compete with China "offers greater opportunities for US-Taiwan economic cooperation."

Separately, Chinese customs announced it was suspending imports of citrus fruits, chilled white-striped hairtail and frozen horse mackerel from Taiwan, while its commerce ministry suspended natural sand exports to Taiwan.

China's Foreign Ministry said Pelosi's visit seriously undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, "had a severe impact on the political foundation of China-US relations, and seriously violated China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is bound by American law to provide the means for self-defense. China views the visit of US officials to Taiwan as an encouraging signal for the pro-independence camp on the island. Taiwan rejects China's claim to sovereignty, saying only the Taiwanese people can decide the island's future.

It is my great and humble privilege to accept on behalf of the Congress the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon: a symbol of America’s strong and enduring friendship with Taiwan.

Join me & President @iingwen for this special presentation. https://t.co/1etOJHuIT5

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 3, 2022