Biden respects Pelosi's decision; China to react over long term: Kirby
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US National Security Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby comments on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan and China's reactions.
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US National Security Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby ( Alex Brandon | AP)
President Joe Biden respects US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to visit Taiwan, US National Security Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
"He [Biden] respects the Speaker's decision to travel to Taiwan."
"We have stayed in touch with our Taiwan counterparts, of course. and, and we've stayed in touch with Speaker Pelosi's staff, as she has progressed to this trip," Kirby added.
The Biden administration has defended Pelosi's visit by arguing that it does not constitute a violation of China's sovereignty.
Read: US military making plans in case Pelosi travels to Taiwan
China expected to continue to react to Pelosi visit over longer-term period - WH
The United States expects China to keep reacting to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan over a long period of time, Kirby said.
"China has positioned itself to take further steps and we expect that they will continue to react over a longer-term horizon."
"I couldn't give you a date of certain of what that horizon looks like but we certainly would expect them to react even beyond her trip," he added.
Earlier in the day, Pelosi landed in Taiwan, despite several warnings and objections from Beijing. Upon her arrival, and as tensions mounted between Beijing and Washington, China launched a series of military drills off the Taiwan Strait and issued an order that restricted navigation in parts of the South China Sea.
On the evening of August 2, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command will conduct a series of joint military operations around the island of Taiwan, and conduct joint air and naval exercises in the sea and airspace to the north, southwest and southeast from Taiwan," Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command Spokesperson Shi Yi confirmed on Tuesday
The Global Times newspaper reported earlier that the Chinese army would conduct exercises in six areas around Taiwan from August 4 to 7.
