Step to escalate US-China crisis: Pelosi’s plane lands in Taiwanese capital Taipei

The plane carrying Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives and her accompanying delegation have landed in the Taiwanese capital Taipei. “It seriously undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait” a statement from China said. Pelosi became the most senior U.S. official to travel to Taiwan, having last been visited by then-U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The plane carrying the Speaker of the US House of Representatives and the accompanying delegation which caused tension between the US and China, landed at Songshan Airport in the Taiwanese capital at 22:43 local time. Pelosi was greeted by Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, President of the American Institute Sandra Oudkirk who is in Taipei and other officials. Pelosi is expected to meet with Taiwan Leader Tsai Yingwen tomorrow.

Pelosi said in a statement the visit honored the unwavering U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s democracy, and noted following: “Our discussions with the leadership of Taiwan, to reconfirm our support of our partners, a free and open Indo-Pacific region, further including developing will focus on our common interests. As the world faces a preference between autocracy and democracy, the solidarity of the United States with 23 million Taiwanese is more important today, than ever.”

Despite China’s threats to strike ahead of Pelosi’s visit, no official announcement has come from China, yet.