After the Financial Times reported that a Congressional delegation led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would visit Taiwan as part of a tour of Southeast Asia, China warned that there would take “forceful measures” to show its displeasure, Reuters reports.
Pelosi’s office has not confirmed the plans to visit Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as Taiwan, citing security issues, but sources within Democratic leadership have hinted such a trip could take place during the coming Congressional recess.
The US maintains a “One China” policy, walking a tightrope that does not explicitly recognize either the People’s Republic of China control over Taiwan nor stating that Taiwan is a sovereign state. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden has said that the US would intervene on behalf of Taiwan if China unilaterally attempts to occupy Taiwan, and the US sells weapons to the Taiwanese government.
“If the U.S. side obstinately clings to this course, China will definitely take resolute and forceful measures to firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. “The United States must be fully responsible for all the consequences caused by this.”