US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan for an official visit Tuesday, defying China's warnings that her visit to the island nation would cross a red line and could provoke a military response.
“Our congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy,” the Speaker said upon landing.
Pelosi's visit to Taiwan is part of a tour she and a congressional delegation are taking of eastern Asia this week.
The last time a Speaker of the House visited Taiwan was in 1997, when Newt Gingrich was Speaker during the Clinton Administration.
The Biden Administration had warned Pelosi of the risks of her visit, but failed to dissuade her from flying to Tapai.
China had threatened to shoot down Pelosi's plane if she went through with her visit.