China piled a beach opposite Taiwan with tanks and vowed to fight ‘to the death’ as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in the self-ruled island for the highest-level visit by a US official in a quarter century.
Tanks lined the Fujian coast by the Taiwan Strait in dramatic video shared on the Chinese social network Weibo, and it appeared military equipment was being transferred in Xiamen. Chinese warplanes jetted along the Taiwan Strait.
The setup for a standoff unfolded as Pelosi landed in Taiwan’s capital of Taipei on Tuesday, despite strong objections and warnings from the Chinese government.
Wearing a pink suit and face mask, Pelosi stepped down a US Air Force plane and waved, surrounded by Taiwanese officials.
Shortly after touching down, Pelosi stated that her visit ‘honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy’.
‘Our discussions with Taiwan leadership will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and on promoting our shared interests, including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region,’ stated Pelosi.
‘America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy.’
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SOURCE: Metro UK, Jessica Kwong
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