During the weeks before Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China issued several warnings, which the communist country strongly condemned.
Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden during a historic two-hour phone call that “those who play with fire will only get burned,” referring to America’s potential support for island independence. Happened.
Although the House speaker’s visit to Taiwan lasted less than a day, there were strong reactions from countries around the world who understood the geopolitical impact of one of America’s most highly placed officials visiting the island and promised that Taiwan’s democracy will continue to be supported. Ironclad.”
Pelosi reiterated her commitment on Thursday during her visit to Japan, where she said during a news conference at the US embassy in Tokyo that China “may try to prevent Taiwan from visiting or participating in other places”, but it “Won’t isolate Taiwan” is preventing us from traveling there.
“We will not allow them to isolate Taiwan,” she insisted.
China’s response
On Friday, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the People’s Republic of China issued a statement announcing sanctions on House Speaker Pelosi.
“In defiance of China’s serious concerns and firm opposition, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi insists on a visit to the Taiwan region of China,” it read. “This is gross interference in China’s internal affairs. It seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously tramples on the one-China principle, and seriously threatens peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In response to serious provocations from Pelosi, China decided to impose sanctions on Pelosi and members of his immediate family in accordance with the relevant laws of the People’s Republic of China.
China has increased its military presence in the region since Pelosi’s visit, sending a record number of planes to the midline passing through the Taiwan Strait on Friday.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said in its latest statement that day, after Taiwan’s defense ministry deployed 68 Chinese fighter jets and 13 warships to that area, “[we] have deliberately crossed the middle line of the strait and Condemn the communist army for disturbing the sea and air around Taiwan.” ,
China also announced that the country would halt talks with the US in several areas, including with theater-level military commanders and in relation to the climate crisis.
Despite China’s aggressive rhetoric and military responses, Wu’er Caixi, who was a former student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests in China, told Reuters in an interview that Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was a clear victory for the island. And that it was not the expected threat to China’s relations.
Wu explained, “Nancy Pelosi came to Taiwan in such a high profile, made sure the whole world saw her and then made sure that the United States military, the regional defense forces all come forward and say that we die to protect our speaker.” are going.” Er.
“The whole world saw the change in the United States. How did China respond? Military exercises; Nothing they haven’t done before.”
Wuer said the military exercises are on a “scary scale”, yet they are only exercises and there is no “imminent military threat”.
The 1,000 missiles that are currently being pointed at Taiwan is nothing new, Wu’er reminded the audience that it has been that way for the past three decades.
companies should be careful
Not everyone shared the views of the former Tiananmen Square protest leader, as other countries and companies took extra precautions to avoid stirring up more drama around the delicate issue.
On Friday, tech giant Apple asked its suppliers to strictly comply with Chinese customs rules stating that parts of Taiwan are being made from “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipei”.
In another case, food company Mars Wrigley apologized on Friday for its latest Snicker bar ad that counted Taiwan as a country.
During promotion for a limited-edition Snickers bar, the video stated that the product was only available in “countries” of South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan.
Mars Wrigley issued a statement of apology on his Snickers China Weibo account, saying that the relevant material has been amended:
“Mars Wrigley respects China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity and conducts its business operations in strict compliance with local Chinese law and regulations.”
Some Chinese netizens were dissatisfied with the apology, however, outraged that Taiwan was not explicitly claimed as part of China in the company’s statement.
“Say this: Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory!” One user wrote, whose comment has got more than 8,000 likes.