House Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (NBC) – Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is leading an official congressional delegation to Asia this week, made an unannounced visit to Taiwan on Tuesday.

This visit is the first official visit to Taiwan by a speaker of the United States House of Representatives in 25 years.

Pelosi and members of a congressional delegation issued this statement upon arrival in Taiwan, saying “congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.”

The visit to Taiwan comes despite harsh warnings from the Chinese government.

China’s defense ministry said Tuesday night it will conduct a series of targeted military operations to “safeguard national sovereignty” in response to Pelosi’s visit.

It vowed to “resolutely thwart external interference and `Taiwan independence’ separatist attempts.”

Pelosi had invited a small group of lawmakers to join her on the trip, which they are making as the House enters its month-long August recess.

The controversial trip comes amid growing concern in Washington as U.S.-China relations strain over the future of the self-ruling democracy that Beijing claims as its territory, in addition to an economic slowdown and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Pelosi was on a tour of Asia that includes announced visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Her stop in Taiwan had not been announced but had been widely anticipated.

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