A visit by Nancy Pelosi would further inflame tensions between China and the United States, who have already clashed on a range of issues
A visit by Nancy Pelosi would further inflame tensions between China and the United States, who have already clashed on a range of issues AFP / SAUL LOEB

Defying all the threats issued by China, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday on an official visit.

"Our delegation's visit to Taiwan honors America's unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan's vibrant Democracy," Pelosi tweeted after landing in Taiwan.

China has threatened to use military power to stop Pelosi. On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that Pelosi's visit to Taiwan would lead to "very serious developments and consequences."

According to a Reuters report, Zhao said, "We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said that China's responses could include firing missiles near Taiwan, large-scale air or naval activities, or further "spurious legal claims" such as Beijing's assertion that the Taiwan Strait is not an international waterway.

Kirby added that the U.S. will not engage in saber-rattling but at the same time will not be intimidated by Chinese threats.

According to China, any visit by U.S. officials to Taiwan encourages the country's call for independence and against its claim on the island nation. Although the U.S. has maintained its stand on the One China policy it is ready to provide Taiwan means to defend itself if need arises.

Pelosi's visit might not result in a military conflict but it will certainly worsen already strained ties between Washington and Beijing. Newt Gingrich was the last House speaker to visit Taiwan, in 1997. Although China objected to the visit it did not issue any threat against it.

China has increased its military activities near Taiwan. Meanwhile, the U.S. has deployed the USS Ronald Reagan in the South China Sea.