House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed Sunday she is main a Congressional delegation to a number of Asian international locations, however didn’t say if she deliberate to cease in Taiwan.
Pelosi’s office said the speaker would visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan with a number of members of her caucus, together with Reps. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), Mark Takano (Calif.), Suzan DelBene (Wash.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill.) and Andy Kim (N.J.).
“Today, our Congressional delegation travels to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America’s strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region,” Pelosi mentioned. “Our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance.”
The journey has sparked pressure within the White House amid elevated diplomatic pressure with China. Taiwan is a self-governing democracy that China claims as its personal territory, and the U.S. has been involved Xi Jinping might try to maneuver in opposition to the island within the coming years.
If Pelosi does go to Taiwan, she can be the highest-ranking official to go there since 1997. It’s unclear how China would react to the go to, though senior Chinese officers have issued warnings the nation might take “firm and resolute measures” if it went forward.
Despite these issues, Pelosi mentioned lately it was “important for us to show support for Taiwan.” But Biden lately mentioned the army didn’t think it was a “good idea proper now” for her to go to. The president has mentioned any go to was no motive for the U.S. and China to “come to blows,” and {that a} journey by Pelosi wouldn’t sign any change within the White House’s coverage in direction of Beijing.
Biden doesn’t have any authority over the speaker’s journey schedule.
Pelosi has additionally mentioned she hasn’t been advocating for any change in stance in direction of Taiwan.
“None of us has ever said we’re for independence, when it comes to Taiwan,” she mentioned, per the AP. “That’s up to Taiwan to decide.”
Still, The Associated Press reported final week the Pentagon had made plans to extend its motion of forces and belongings within the area ought to Pelosi find yourself visiting Taiwan.
