Protests in Taiwan against Pelosi's visit
The US House Speaker's visit to Taipei is drawing the ire of the island's citizens, who view the visit as an act of provocation against China.
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Protesters in Taipei holding multiple banners denouncing US House Speaker's visit to Taiwan
Taiwan witnessed rallies and protest activities organized by pro-China activists against the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who arrived on Tuesday in Taipei.
The demonstrators carried banners reading "One China" and "The United States, hands off Taiwan," with protesters chanting that "China is not an enemy of Taiwan."
A major banner held by a number of protesters read: " War speaker Pelosi get out of Taipei."
The US House Speaker's visit to Taiwan comes despite warnings from China, as well as from US President Joe Biden's administration officials, who are concerned about Beijing's reaction.
In Taiwan people started to protest against Pelosi’s visit. pic.twitter.com/HHFIpskcDT
— SW (@SW83960685) August 2, 2022
Earlier, China warned that the US will "pay the price" if Pelosi visits Taiwan.
In parallel, US President Joe Biden said in late July that the US military "thinks it's not a good idea right now, but I don't know what the status of it is."
Commenting on the unannounced visit of Pelosi to Taiwan, Chinese FM Wang Yi affirmed that "Taiwan is a part of China. The implementation of national reunification is a general trend and historic imminence."
The FM went on to stress that "We will leave no space for external interference and to forces supporting Taiwan’s independence."
Chinese National Defense Ministry Spokesperson Tan Kefei warned on July 26 that the Chinese military would not sit back if Pelosi visits Taiwan.
Furthermore, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command has declared its intention to conduct exercises in six areas around Taiwan from August 4 to 7.
