Live updates: Don’t want anything to happen to Taiwan by force, says Nancy Pelosi; Japan expresses concern over Chinese drills

Nancy Pelosi Taiwan Visit Live updates: Pelosi rakes up Hong Kong issue

“Demonstration of democracy offers a strong contrast to what’s happening in mainland China. No more evidence is needed on what happened in Hong Kong, one country two systems didn’t happen. We don’t want anything to happen to Taiwan by force,” said Nancy Pelosi.

Nancy Pelosi Taiwan Visit Live updates: US Speaker talks about showing courage to people of Taiwan

During a presser in Taiwan, Pelosi said, “There’s struggle between democracy and autocracy in world. As China uses its soft power in order to gain support, we have to talk about Taiwan in terms of its technological advancement and show people Taiwan’s courage to become more democratic.”

US, Indonesia hold joint military drills amid China concerns

The United States and Indonesian militaries began annual joint combat exercises Wednesday on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, joined for the first time by participants from other partner nations, signalling stronger ties amid growing maritime activity by China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan expresses concern over military drills in Taiwan

Japan has expressed concern to China over its military drills in waters around Taiwan, a government spokesman said Wednesday as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits the island. “The maritime areas announced by the Chinese side as those to be used for military exercises… overlaps with Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Considering the live-fire training nature of this military activity, Japan has expressed concerns to the Chinese side,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.

Nancy Pelosi Taiwan Visit Live updates: ‘America’s solidarity with Taiwan is crucial’

“Taiwan is flourishing democracy. It has proven to world that hope, courage & determination can build peaceful & prosperous future despite challenges it faces. Now, more than ever, America’s solidarity with Taiwan is crucial, that’s the message we bring in today,” said US Speaker Pelosi.

Nancy Pelosi Taiwan Visit Live updates: ‘America has made a bedrock promise to always stand with Taiwan’

“America has made a bedrock promise to always stand with Taiwan. On this strong foundation, we’ve a thriving partnership grounded in self-government & self-determination focused on mutual security in the region & world committed to economic prosperity,” said US Speaker Pelosi.

Pelosi one of Taiwan’s most devoted friends: Taiwanese President

After meeting Pelosi, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said, “US Speaker Pelosi is truly one of Taiwan’s most devoted friends. We are grateful to you to make this visit to Taiwan to showcase the US Congress’ staunch support for Taiwan. Aggressions against democratic Taiwan would have a tremendous impact on the security of the entire Indo-Pacific…Facing deliberately heightened military threats Taiwan will not back down.”

Our visit about human rights, security issues: Pelosi in Taiwan

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in Taiwan, said, “We are here to listen to you and learn from you as to how we can go forward together. We congratulate you on successfully addressing the issue of Covid which is also an issue of health, economy, security and governance. Now we look forward to our conversation about how we can work together to save the planet from the climate crisis. We thank you for your leadership & we want the world to recognise it. Our visit was about human rights, unfair trade practices, security issues.”

21 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan Air Defence Zone amid Pelosi’s visit

Shortly after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taipei on Tuesday, 21 Chinese military aircraft flew into the southwestern part of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ), as confirmed by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND). In response, Taiwan scrambled a combat air patrol, sent radio warnings, and deployed defence missile systems to track the Chinese military planes, the MND said.

Continue to look at the world with wide eyes: China’s President Xi Jinping

“We continue to look at the world with wide eyes so as not to miss any provocation from the American reactionaries,” said China’s President Xi Jinping on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and ‘American Reactionaries’.

Immediately corrects its wrong practice: China tells US

According to Global Times, Ambassador Qin Gang lodged solemn representations and strong protests with the US National Security Council and the Department of State over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan saying it is a major escalation of the US’ ”negative” move on Taiwan question.”China urges the US to immediately correct its wrong practice, control and eliminate the negative impact of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, and refrain from further dangerous and provocative actions that violate China’s sovereignty and security,” said Qin.

Will not do anything to increase tension: US

“We will not engage in sabre-rattling. We will not do anything that will increase the tension. We would like to see the lines of communication with Beijing stay open,” said US National Security coordinator John Kirby on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Chinese mainland will halt natural sand exports to Taiwan

Chinese mainland will halt natural sand exports to Taiwan region from Wednesday, reports China’s CGTN quoting Ministry of Commerce.

Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan is not the first time she has internationally criticised Beijing

In 2015, Pelosi took a group of House Democrats to Tibet, the first such visit since widespread unrest in 2008. Pelosi has regularly spoken out about human rights issues in Tibet and has met the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing reviles as a violent separatist.

North Korea denounces US ‘interference’ over Pelosi’s Taiwan visit: North Korean state media

North Korea’s foreign ministry on Wednesday criticised what it called U.S. “imprudent interference” in China’s internal affairs over House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

China set to launch ‘targeted military operations’ after Pelosi touchdown in Taiwan

The Chinese army has been placed on high alert and will begin “targeted military operations” from Tuesday night local time after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ignored Beijing’s warning and arrived into Taiwan. Beijing has responded to Pelosi’s arrival to the island – which is the first by a US House Speaker in 25 years – by putting its army on high alert. Chinese warplanes had buzzed along the Taiwan Strait prior to her arrival but now “targeted military operations” will be launched, the Defence Ministry said.

US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the highest elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years

Second in line for the presidency after US Vice President Kamala Harris, Pelosi became the most senior U.S. politician to travel to Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997. She led a delegation of six other House members.

US Republican Party supports Pelosi’s trip

Republicans supported Pelosi’s trip. “Any member that wants to go, should. It shows political deterrence to President Xi,” Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told media. McCaul said he was invited to join Pelosi’s Asia trip but was unable to do so.

‘Stop playing Taiwan card to contain us’: Chinese Foreign Ministry on Pelosi’s visit

“The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, and no other country is entitled to act as a judge on the Taiwan question. China strongly urges the United States to stop playing the ‘Taiwan card’ and using Taiwan to contain China. It should stop meddling in Taiwan and interfering in China’s internal affairs,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement minutes after Pelosi landed in Taipei.

Hong Kong’s SAR govt opposes Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan: Reports

“The Hong Kong SAR government firmly opposes the visit of Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan island, and fully supports and cooperates with the central government in taking countermeasures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Chinese media reports quoted Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee as saying.

China vows ‘targeted military actions’ in response to Pelosi’s Taiwan visit

“The United States… constantly distorts, obscures and hollows out the ‘One China’ principle. These moves, like playing with fire, are extremely dangerous. Those who play with fire will perish by it,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement after Pelosi’s plane touched down in Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will not meet US’ Antony Blinken in Cambodia: Reports

Amid escalating tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly has no plan to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cambodia.

Protesters gather outside Taiwan hotel where Pelosi is likely to stay: Chinese media

According to Chinese media reports around 1,000 protesters have gathered near the Grand Hyatt hotel where the US delegation will reportedly stay. They are protesting the visit of the ‘disaster maker’.

‘Extremely dangerous’: China slams Pelosi’s visit, PLA set to conduct military exercises in areas surrounding Taiwan this week

According to Chinese media, the People’s Liberation Army will conduct “important military exercises and training activities including live-fire drills” in six regions surrounding the Taiwan island from Thursday to Sunday. The Foreign Ministry has also warned that it will take ‘all necessary measures’ to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. “All the consequences must be borne by US and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces,” Global Times quoted the FM as saying.

Massive build up of police and Taiwanese officials as Pelosi touches down

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in Taipei amid heavy security. It is learnt that there is also a massive build up of officials and police personnel in Taipei at present. Many civilians have also made attempts to welcome the high ranking US official – with some buildings lit up in her honour.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan

China had earlier said the United States will “pay the price” if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan during her Asia trip.

Chinese fighter jets crossing Taiwan Strait: Reports

According to local media reports, Chinese fighter jets are crossing Taiwan Strait. Beijing has warned of military consequences if she went ahead with the visit.

Chinese aircraft presently in Fujian area bordering Taiwan Strait

China has already closed its airspace to Taiwan and Chinese SU-35s presently hover over Taiwan Strait.

Anti-aircraft guns activated at Taiwan airport

Nancy Pelosi set to land in Taipei shortly; China closes airspace to island

US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to land in Taipei City shortly and Taiwan jets are escorting her flight. China meanwhile has closed airspace to the island.