On Tuesday night, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan despite threats from Beijing of severe consequences.
Pelosi became the highest-ranking American official in 25 years to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China.
Earlier, China warned of “resolute and strong measures” if Pelosi went ahead with the trip.
Given Pelosi’s visit, China’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday night it would conduct a series of targeted military operations to “safeguard national sovereignty.”
They also vowed to “resolutely thwart external interference and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist attempts.”
The Biden administration, for its part, assured Beijing it would not signal any change in U.S. policy on Taiwan.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi slammed the visit by Pelosi to Taiwan.
“Some American politicians are playing with fire on the issue of Taiwan,” Wang said in a statement.
“This will definitely not have a good outcome … the exposure of America’s bullying face again shows it as the world’s biggest saboteur of peace,” Wang added.
In a statement, Pelosi downplayed China’s anger at her visit, saying she just “honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.”
“Our visit is one of several Congressional delegations to Taiwan—and it in no way contradicts longstanding United States policy,” Pelosi said.
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