Nancy Pelosi Says China 'Made a Big Fuss' About Taiwan Visit but Didn't 'Say Anything When the Men Came'

Mar. 15, 2025

Nancy Pelosimet with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen Wednesday as part of herdefiant visitto the island that China claims as part of its territory.

China’s strong objection to the House speaker’s trip, which made her the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan in a quarter century, came with warnings andignited concernsamong the American military as well as inside PresidentJoe Biden’s White House.

“We have repeatedly made clear our firm opposition to Speaker Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan. If the U.S. side insists on making the visit and challenges China’s red line, it will be met with resolute countermeasures,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokespersonZhao Lijiang said last week. “The U.S. must assume full responsibility for any serious consequence arising thereof.”

China’s Ministry of National Defense added last week that Pelosi should cancel the trip or the country’s military will “resolutely defend national sovereignty.”

“Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy,” Pelosi said Wednesday during a meeting with President Tsai. “America’s determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and around the world, remains ironclad.”

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Speaker of the U.S. House Of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), left, poses for photographs with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, right, at the president’s office on August 03, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan. Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday as part of a tour of Asia aimed at reassuring allies in the region, as China made it clear that her visit to Taiwan would be seen in a negative light.

One of the men she referred to is Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who toldNewsmaxearlier this week that he made the trip “5, 6 months ago” with “three or four other senators” despite similar warnings from China.

Speaker of the U.S. House Of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), speaks after receiving the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, Taiwan’s highest civilian honour, from Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, at the president’s office on August 03, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan. Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday as part of a tour of Asia aimed at reassuring allies in the region, as China made it clear that her visit to Taiwan would be seen in a negative light.

“Taiwan needs us to come. We need to show our support,” Tuberville said in the interview. “China’s not stupid enough to do something crazy. They talk a big game but we need to stand up for the American people, we need to stand up for our allies, we need to stand up for Taiwan. We need to show strength.”

During the visit, President Tsai presented Pelosi with Taiwan’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Propitious Clouds.

“Speaker Pelosi is truly one of Taiwan’s most devoted friends,” Tsai said during a ceremony after Pelosi addressed Taiwan’s parliament, NBC News reports. “We are truly grateful to you for making this visit to Taiwan to showcase the U.S. Congress’s staunch support for Taiwan.”

Speaker of the U.S. House Of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), left, receives the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, Taiwan’s highest civilian honour, from Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, right, at the president’s office on August 03, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan. Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday as part of a tour of Asia aimed at reassuring allies in the region, as China made it clear that her visit to Taiwan would be seen in a negative light.

China, as expected, condemned Pelosi’s trip, which she made with five other House Democratic lawmakers: Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York, Mark Takano of California, who also led a delegation to Taiwan last year, Suzan DelBene of Washington, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Andy Kim of New Jersey.

source: people.com

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