Political | Process

A person familiar with the speaker’s plans said a trip to Taiwan had been discussed as a possibility as part of a broader Asia trip but wasn’t confirmed. The White House, via a National Security Council spokesperson, declined to comment on a trip that has yet to be announced.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it hasn’t received information related to a trip by Mrs. Pelosi.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of China and says Washington’s support for Taiwan is the most sensitive issue in relations. But the island is self-governed, run by a democratically elected leadership, and the U.S. is required by law to assist Taiwan’s defense, including four arms sales deals this year.

Earlier this year, the Asian superpower blasted the State Department for changing language on its web page devoted to Taiwan, appearing to remove wording stating that the US “does not support Taiwan independence.”

Similar language saying “we do not support Taiwan independence,” was added back to the page on May 28 after China called the change a “petty act of fictionalizing.” 

Currently, the State Department web page emphasizes that the US policy toward Taiwan “has remained consistent across decades and administrations,” saying “we oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.”

Hours before Zhao warned Pelosi off visiting the self-governing island, the Financial Times reported that the speaker was planning to lead a delegation to Taiwan next month, citing six people familiar with the plans. 

The visit – reportedly rescheduled from April – would make Pelosi the most senior US lawmaker to visit Taiwan since then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich made the trip in 1997. 

Three people familiar with the issue told the FT that the White House has expressed concern about the possible trip. 

In his Tuesday remarks, Zhao urged the US to “not arrange” for Pelosi to visit Taiwan and “stop official interactions” with the island. 

“Should the US side insist on doing otherwise, China will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. “The US must assume full responsibility for any ensuing consequences.”