As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taipei, Taiwan for a visit that’s been heavily criticised by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), The Washington Post published an op-ed by Ms Pelosi in which she says that the “visit should be seen as an unequivocal statement that America stands with Taiwan, our democratic partner, as it defends itself and its freedom”.
Ms Pelosi opened the opinion piece by noting that the Taiwan Relations Act was passed 43 years ago, calling it “one of the most important pillars of US foreign policy in the Asia Pacific”.
The speaker wrote that the legislation “set out America’s commitment to a democratic Taiwan, providing the framework for an economic and diplomatic relationship that would quickly flourish into a key partnership”.
She added that “it fostered a deep friendship rooted in shared interests and values: self-determination and self-government, democracy and freedom, human dignity and human rights”.
She also noted that the act states that the US will “consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means … a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States”.
“Today, America must remember that vow. We must stand by Taiwan, which is an island of resilience,” the speaker wrote.
She goes on to note that China has grown increasingly aggressive towards Taiwan over recent years.
China “has ramped up patrols of bombers, fighter jets and surveillance aircraft near and even over Taiwan’s air defense zone,” she wrote, adding that the Department of Defence has said that the Chinese army is “likely preparing for a contingency to unify Taiwan with the PRC by force”.
She also noted the increasing number of cyberattacks against the island’s government, as well as the economic pressures the island faces as a result of China’s actions.
Ms Pelosi argued that the visit “in no way contradicts” the one-China policy and that the US “continues to oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo”.
“Our discussions with our Taiwanese partners will focus on reaffirming our support for the island and promoting our shared interests, including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” she wrote.
The speaker noted that she visited China 30 years ago on a bipartisan congressional trip, adding that they “unfurled a black-and-white banner” in Tiananmen Square that said, “To those who died for democracy in China”.
“Uniformed police pursued us as we left the square. Since then, Beijing’s abysmal human rights record and disregard for the rule of law continue, as President Xi Jinping tightens his grip on power,” she wrote.
Ms Pelosi also mentioned the government abuses faced by peoples in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and “throughout the mainland”.
“We cannot stand by as the CCP proceeds to threaten Taiwan — and democracy itself,” she said.
“We take this trip at a time when the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy. As Russia wages its premeditated, illegal war against Ukraine, killing thousands of innocents — even children — it is essential that America and our allies make clear that we never give in to autocrats,” she added.
“By traveling to Taiwan, we honor our commitment to democracy: reaffirming that the freedoms of Taiwan — and all democracies — must be respected.”
