“She Came, She Saw, And She Conquered.” Defiant Nancy Pelosi Landed in Taiwan, Met Tsai Ing-wen, And Then Departed, Leaving The Dragon Fuming And Seething In Anger
“She Came, She Saw, And She Conquered.” Defiant Nancy Pelosi Landed in Taiwan, Met Tsai Ing-wen, And Then Departed, Leaving The Dragon Fuming And Seething In Anger
Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the American House of Representatives, landed in Taiwan late Tuesday evening putting an end to all speculations about whether she will go there or not.
She is the first speaker of the US Congress to visit Taiwan in 25 years. The last one to do so was Mr. Newt Gingrich who went there in 1997. Even though the Chinese did protest during his visit, but it was very somber in nature. This time China’s protest has exhibited sharp streaks of jingoism.
China sees Taiwan as a part of its territory that broke away. China intends to take it back by use of force. The US has vowed to prevent any such use of force by China. Nancy Pelosi’s visit was seen to serve as a reminder of the US promise. Pelosi’s visit is seen by the Chinese as an infringement on their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Officially, the US endorses the one-China policy, which means the US accepts that Taiwan is part of China. But practically, the US has been pushing for Taiwan’s independence. As a part of that policy, Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan despite all threats from China.
Today’s China is an economic superpower, is much more aggressive, expansionist and is led by a man who wants to create a new world order led by China. Hence, the severity of protests is not surprising. This visit is a challenge to the authority of Xi Jinping. His response will determine how seriously the world should take China’s threat. The whole world is watching the visit with abated breath. There was an apprehension that the Chinese military might intercept Nancy Pelosi’s plane, so the plane approached Taiwan from the Philippines Sea route instead of the South China Sea frontier.
Nancy Pelosi was welcomed by the foreign minister of Taiwan, Joseph Woo at the airport. Nancy Pelosi spent the day in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. During her brief sojourn, she participated in several high profile meetings with the Taiwan government officials and Taiwanese lawmakers. She then visited the parliament of Taiwan where she met the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen. In a small ceremony, she was also bestowed an award by Tsai Ing-wen. She reiterated America’s support for Taiwan. She also said that America’s commitment to preserve democracy in Taiwan is iron clad. Before leaving she met human rights leaders as well as took a tour of human rights museum.
China is responding both diplomatically and strategically. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has stated that America has committed treachery. Beijing has vowed to make America pay. Beijing is furious and has been threatening dire consequences for Taiwan. Chinese internet companies have gone offline in Taiwan. China’s Twitter alternative weibo has shut down its operations in Taiwan, and a Chinese news portal has also gone blank. Beijing has banned the import of sweets, biscuits, bread, pastries as well as many confectionary items from Taiwan.
Beijing is taking action on many fronts. It has closed the airspace over Taiwan asking pilots to avoid entering Taiwan skies. Flights have been disrupted. Taiwan has reached out to Japan and Philippines to negotiate alternative flight routes. The Taiwan Strait is a very busy trade route, but China has asked ships to steer clear of Taiwan. There has been a cyber attack on Taiwan’s presidential office.
China is also making military moves. The PLA is conducting what it calls long-range live ammunition shooting in danger zones around Taiwan. The Chinese military is shooting its artillery guns with the projectiles aimed at the Taiwan Strait. The air force has been activated, which is also practicing drills around Taiwan. The PLA is also planning to launch ballistic missiles near Taiwan. China shifts military equipment close to Taiwan. Frenetic military activity is taking place on the island of Fujian, which is teeming with troops, armoured vehicles and tanks.
In a simulation exercise, the Chinese tanks were seen moving on the beaches in preparation for an amphibious attack, most probably on Taiwan. The Chinese military has encircled Taiwan. The PLA has been conducting targeted military operations in the Taiwan Strait. China has said that it will continue these drills till at least Friday. This is a security nightmare for Taiwan. China wants to demonstrate its power indicating that it can blockade Taiwan for hosting Pelosi.
Even though no tangible benefits, strategic or otherwise, will accrue to Taiwan for hosting Pelosi, it went ahead with the visit to send a strong message to China that it is not going to give up without a good fight. Taiwan is bracing for impact by upgrading its war preparedness. It is preparing air raid shelters to protect its citizens. Taiwanese citizens are being trained to dodge missiles. Officials are reviewing existing infrastructure to see if they can be used as bomb shelters.
What will the US do if the Chinese military invade Taiwan? The US has promised to protect Taiwan in the face of military invasion from China, but it is is very difficult to believe given its recent track record in Ukraine, where it had made a similar promise. Does Joe Biden want another conflict on his plate?
The international response has been mixed. Russia has called Pelosi’s visit an annoyance. North Korea has backed China’s position on Taiwan. On the other side of the ideological divide, Liz Truss of the UK has said the visit was reasonable. Japan has expressed concerns over Chinese operations. South Korea has called for calm.
Nancy Pelosi’s visit lasted barely 18 hours but has raised many questions. What will be the cost that Taiwan has to pay for hosting Nancy Pelosi? Will China start a war over a diplomatic visit? Does Xi Jinping have the appetite for a full blown war? Is this just a foreign policy charade resulting from a clash of egos where the lives of 23 million Taiwanese have been put to risk? Nancy Pelosi wanted a foreign policy win before retiring from office. She decided Taiwan was the place to do it. What did the US achieve from this visit? Has the one-China policy changed? Have the Chinese relented on their claim to Taiwan? Has Taiwan’s military magically grown stronger?
Whether this is mere optics or China is preparing to invade Taiwan is something that only time will tell. The ball is now in China’s court.
edited and proofread by nikita sharma
