White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre and White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby made statements regarding the Taiwan visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which caused tension between the US and China. Stating that he condemns China’s “irresponsible” military activities near Taiwan, Kirby said, “We condemn these actions, which are irresponsible and go against our longstanding goal of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. “He chose to overreact and use the Pelosi visit as an excuse. We expected that China would take such steps. We expect these actions to continue and the Chinese to continue to react in the coming days.”
‘WE COME TO THE WHITE HOME’
“After China’s actions, we summoned China’s Ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, to the White House to blame China’s provocative actions. We condemned China’s irresponsible military actions as contrary to our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability,” Kirby said. he said.
‘WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR SINGLE CHINA POLICY’
Kirby said the White House told Ambassador Qin Gang that the US does not want a crisis in the region and reiterated that there is no change in the US “one China” policy. “We have made it clear that the United States is ready for what Beijing chooses to do. We will not seek and do not want a crisis. At the same time, we will not cease operating in the seas and air of the western Pacific,” Kirby said.
Kirby said the United States would “support Taiwan and defend a free and open Indo-Pacific, as it has for decades,” consistent with international law. Kirby also said, “We also said that we expect the differences between the Straits to be resolved peacefully. We are also keeping in touch with Beijing. As President Joe Biden told President Xi, Pelosi’s visit was consistent with our one-China policy. He had the right to visit, and the previous Speaker of the House was more “He had visited Taiwan before without incident,” he said. Kirby said, “We will continue to support peace and stability between the straits. Because this is important not only for Taiwan but for the entire region.”
‘PRESIDENT OF THE PRESIDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO GO TO TAIWAN’
Kirby said of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan that turned into a crisis between China and the United States. “Members of Congress have the right to travel overseas and that includes Taiwan. The Speaker of the House is also a member of Congress and therefore has the right to go. Our job was to make sure he had a safe and secure visit, and we did it.”
‘WE WILL WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS’
Kirby said, “Now, we will continue to engage with our partners around the world. Beijing’s provocative actions are an example of a significant escalation in its long-standing attempt to change the status quo. Over the past two years, China has seen the number of aircraft on the centerline separating China and Taiwan. “It has more than doubled compared to the timeframe between 2016 and 2020. Beijing has followed suit with economic coercion, political interference and cyberattacks against Taiwan.”
“Over the next few weeks, we will conduct standard air and sea crossings over the Taiwan Strait, consistent with our longstanding approach to defending the freedom of the seas and international law. We will take further steps to demonstrate our commitment to the security of our allies in the region, including Japan.” spoke.
‘WE DON’T WANT THE TENSION TO RISE’
Kirby said, “The United States will be determined and at the same time stable and responsible. We do not believe it is in our interest, Taiwan’s interest, or the region’s interest to let tensions escalate. While China engages in destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan, the United States instead miscalculates and misperceptions. “It demonstrates the behavior of a responsible nuclear power by reducing its risks. We will continue to demonstrate transparency in our US ballistic missile tests through timely notifications.”
“If this is best done through diplomacy, the United States will fully support it. We want to see tensions go down,” Kirby said.
TAIWAN VISIT TURNED INTO A CRISIS
Tensions between the United States and China have escalated after the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which China considers its territory. Chinese officials had warned the US of the possible consequences of Pelosi’s visit and how it could harm US-China relations. Since Pelosi’s departure from Taiwan, China has made remarkable strides, both diplomatically and militarily. Diplomatically, China sanctioned Pelosi and her family. In a statement made by Chinese officials, it was stated that China will suspend cooperation with the United States on many issues, including the fight against the climate crisis.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this week as part of her Asia trip, despite China’s threat of retaliation. Pelosi went to Taiwan’s capital Taipei last Tuesday, showing the US support for Taiwan. With her visit to Taiwan, Pelosi became the top US official to visit Taiwan since 1997. Earlier in 1997, then Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich visited Taiwan.
(UAV)