Photo Credit: Sam Yeh | Getty Images
Recently, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met. Beijing’s severe disapproval of the arrangement made by the American envoy was reflected in warning messages it sent after learning of the visit.
The Taiwanese president expressed her enthusiasm over Pelosi’s visit and complimented her for her courage in defending democratic values. Tsai stated that Taiwan is more than willing to coordinate with the U.S. administration on issues relating to the security of their domains across the Taiwan Straits and the Indo-Pacific zone.
High-ranking U.S. government representatives haven’t come to Taiwan in 25 years. The action infuriated China to the point where it announced that it would intensify military operations closer to Taiwan than China had previously done. Beijing also stated that Pelosi’s visit could be viewed as meddling in Chinese internal matters.
China, which regards Taiwan as a part of its territory, repeatedly advised Pelosi not to make a move.
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The Taiwanese president happy with Pelosi’s visit
“Speaker Pelosi is truly one of Taiwan’s most devoted friends,” stated president Tsai during a ceremony held to honor Pelosi with the “Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon.”
“We are truly grateful to you for making this visit to Taiwan to showcase the U.S. Congress’s staunch support for Taiwan,” Tsai further said. She also guaranteed that Taiwan would sustain and deepen its economic links with the U.S. and that it would maintain a resilient supply chain relationship with the Western giant.
Pelosi declared during the event that she promotes world peace and will provide more ways to boost U.S. relations with Taiwan on the economic front. “The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to freedom-loving people in the U.S. and around the world,” said the U.S. House Speaker.
“Out of the crucible of challenge, you have forged a flourishing democracy, one of the freest in the world, proudly led by a woman president.”
Pelosi stated during a news conference that Taiwan’s neighbors should take the island as an example of a democracy that is willing to fight with a superpower whose “one country, two systems” pledge did not materialize.
The medal Pelosi obtained is given out to Taiwanese citizens who have made major contributions to the nation in accordance with local law. In Pelosi’s instance, the statute further stipulates that “foreigners to promote diplomatic relationship” may also get the honor.
Pelosi’s visit may have been a mistake, says analysts
In spite of the fact that the visit increased both nations’ confidence, some analysts think it may have been a mistake. A senior fellow at Yale University, Stephen Roach, said, “Conflict is escalating, and it is escalating at a rapid rate. China will not take any reckless steps … [but] this type of confrontation could spark a most unfortunate accident.”
The former U.S. ambassador to China, Max Baucus, agrees with others who think that Pelosi’s visit might be more cause more harm to Taiwan than good. “Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan increases tensions, and unnecessarily,” Baucus said. “I think it’s dangerous. I think it’s reckless.”
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Far from the declaration of war, says experts
It is far from a declaration of war, according to experts, despite China’s ongoing display of displeasure through heightened military presence and activity conducted nearest to Taiwan. “However, these PLA exercises are more performative signals than preparations for war; crisis is not yet base case and the chance of kinetic conflict remains very low,” stated a senior analyst at the Eurasia Group.
“The PLA did not interfere with Pelosi’s flight to Taiwan and says its planned exercises are meant as a ‘serious deterrent’ to the U.S. and a ‘serious warning’ to Taiwan,” added the analyst.
“Future expressions of support for Taiwan by U.S. and allied officials — including visits, dialogues, and defense cooperation — are now likely to meet harsher responses.”
When asked if the White House supports Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan, Biden has been evasive.
Source: CNBC
Opinions expressed by CEO Weekly contributors are their own.
