House Speaker Nancy Pelosi flew to Taiwan on Aug. 2 to meet with lawmakers and President Tsai Ing-Wen to reinforce U.S-Taiwan relations, heightening tensions between the U.S. and China. 

The Chinese government immediately announced military advancements in retaliation for Pelosi’s visit. China began live-fire military drills in six zones surrounding Taiwan on Aug. 4, simulating a blockade through sea and air. China also suspended imports of over 100 categories of Taiwanese goods the day before her arrival. 

The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement that Pelosi’s visit violated the one-China policy held by the U.S., under which the U.S. acknowledges that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). According to the Ministry, a visit by a foreign government official recognizes Taiwan’s sovereignty and “severely threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” Pelosi is the highest ranking official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.

In an effort to maintain the United States’ global mission towards democracy, the Biden administration committed to protecting Taiwan against any Chinese attacks. The Biden administration says that Pelosi’s visit has not changed U.S-Taiwan relations. Though the nations do not have official relations, they hold substantial nondiplomatic relations through the Taiwan Relations Act.  

“Today our delegation came to Taiwan to make unequivocally clear: we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan, and we are proud of our enduring friendship,” Pelosi said in a press conference with President Tsai.

Upper school history and social science teacher Dr. Chuck Witschorik commented that the situation is complicated because increased tensions between the U.S. and China could hinder conversation on important global issues such as climate change.

“What remains to be seen is can diplomacy win out in the long run, can the United States find a way to support democracy in Taiwan and continue to dialogue with the People’s Republic of China?” Dr. Witschorik said. 

Taiwan first came under Chinese control in the 17th century and again after Japan lost World War II. Taiwan split from China in 1949 after a civil war, becoming a geo-political flashpoint for conflict between China and the U.S. China points to this evidence to claim Taiwan under its territory, while Taiwan insists that it was never a part of the PRC. China officially cut off contact with the Taiwanese government in 2016, after President Tsai refused to recognize Taiwan as a part of a larger Chinese nation. Tensions came to an all-time high following Pelosi’s visit, which a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson condemned as “a gross interference in China’s internal affairs.” 

Even with China’s retaliation, the economic impact of the Chinese trade bans on Taiwan are moderate, since China is Taiwan’s biggest trade partner. Actions to increase the severity of the punishments, such as instilling a complete blockade by closing Taiwan’s ports, would backfire and harm the Chinese economy as well. Neo Alpha (11) commented that Pelosi’s visit served mostly as an opportunity for China to pose military threats. 

“Pelosi’s visit sent a message that the U.S. still has a strong commitment to defending Taiwan, but I’m not particularly inclined to believe that it’s going to be super consequential beyond the domain of China taking it as an opportunity to construct some sort of threat,” Neo said.

Pelosi’s Taiwan visit was one stop along her 4-day tour of Asia which began Aug. 1, which also included Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. The house speaker stated that the goal of the tour was to discuss “peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance” in a press release on July 31.