China warned Pelosi not to visit Taiwan

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province from mainland China and it is committed to use force to bring it into its sphere should diplomacy fail. 

Beijing warned that a visit from the US third highest official would trigger retaliation and a possible military conflict in the region, particularly, the Taiwan strait.

Why did Nancy Pelosi visit Taiwan despite the risks?

Before Nancy Pelosi’s Asian tour, China issued constant threats to the United States not to “play with fire”. With the third most powerful person in the United States visiting Taiwan, it symbolically gives credibility to Taipei’s claim as an independent, democratic country. 

Pelosi’s visit was seen as a way of showing support and solidarity to a fellow democratic “country”.

Nancy Pelosi was awarded the Order of Propitious Clouds.

Nancy Pelosi was given an award from the Taiwanese president which he received it on behalf of the US Congress. She declared that the United States’ solidarity with Taiwan “crucial.”  

As Russia breathes fire down the neck of Ukraine and communist China threatens a democratic Taiwan with a possible imminent invasion, the US fears autocracy is winning over democracy.

Pelosi in a news conference in Taipei said that, there’s  “a struggle between autocracy and democracy in the world”

 This of course underpins Pelosi’s trip. She added that the purpose of her trip to Taiwan was,

 “to show the world the success of the people of Taiwan, the courage to change their own country, to become more democratic.”

Chinese PLA conduct massive military drills during Pelosi’s visit

China sent warships and jets to surround Taiwan during Pelosi’s visit. The PLA conducted massive military drills around Taiwan during the House Speaker’s visit.

The Chinese communist party still hangs on the ideology that Taiwan is part of China. They call it the One China policy. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China began large scale military drills on Thursday through Sunday prior to Pelosi’s visit.

These military exercises have been viewed by Taiwanese Defense officials as synonymous with “sea and air blockade”.

Taiwan on its part has been preparing for a possible Chinese invasion. Taiwan fears the Ukrainian invasion began with Russian military exercises at her borders before launching an attack to invade the nation.

Taiwan on her part has been practicing how to evacuate citizens to bomb shelters in the event of a Chinese invasion. The Taiwanese President Tsai Ingwen has said that her country would not take any steps that may escalate tensions but would keep monitoring Chinese military activities in the strait.

Who did Pelosi meet on her trip in Taiwan?

Nancy Pelosi met with the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and other Taiwanese lawmakers. She was also expected to meet some Taiwanese business and technological juggernauts.