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| The delegates accompanying Ms Pelosi are leading members of the House of Representatives: Gregory Meeks, Mark Takano, Suzan DelBene, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Andy Kim. The last House Speaker to visit Taiwan was Republican Newt Gingrich, in 1997. (Photo by= EPA) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is beginning a tour of Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, her office says - with no mention of a possible visit to Taiwan, BBC reported. There has been intense speculation that she may visit the self-ruled island.
Taiwan is claimed by China - which has warned of "serious consequences" if she goes there. No high-ranking US elected official has visited Taiwan in 25 years. Ms. Pelosi, a California Democrat, tweeted that the six-person Congressional delegation tour would seek to "reaffirm America's unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region". Her office said the tour was to the "Indo-Pacific region" - "including" visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan.
Ms. Pelosi has long been a vocal critic of the Chinese leadership, denouncing its human rights record. She has met pro-democracy dissidents and visited Tiananmen Square to commemorate victims of the 1989 massacre. The statement from her office on Sunday said the tour would "focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region". Their talks will also cover trade, the climate crisis, and human rights. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have expressed anger over what they view as growing diplomatic engagement between Taipei and Washington. There was a surprise visit to the island by six US lawmakers in April.
