Pelosi, who landed in Taipei on Tuesday night and departed on Wednesday, drew a sharp backlash from Beijing as she announced multiple military exercises across the island shortly after her arrival. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said a lawmaker’s visit should not be a pretext for escalating tensions.
Read more: US will stand by Taiwan, Pelosi says during visit as China protests
“We are concerned about the heightened tensions in the region,” Jolie said during a news conference with her German counterpart in Montreal on Wednesday. He said China’s threatening actions increased the risk of destabilizing the region and called on Beijing to de-escalate. Story continues below ad China claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes any involvement of Taiwanese officials with foreign governments. 1:20 China to conduct ‘joint military operations’ as Pelosi lands in Taiwan, state media says China to conduct ‘joint military operations’ as Pelosi lands in Taiwan, state media says Pelosi was the first Speaker of the House to visit Taiwan in 25 years, since Newt Gingrich in 1997. However, other members of Congress, including Democrats Mark Takano of California, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Colin Allred of Texas and Sara Jacobs of California, and Nancy Mace, Republican of South Carolina, visited Taiwan last year. Trending Stories
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Plans for her visit raised tensions between the US and China last week. Shortly after Pelosi landed on Tuesday night, China announced live-fire drills that reportedly began that night, as well as four days of exercises starting Thursday.
Read more: Taiwan warns Chinese military drills threaten ports, urban areas as Pelosi visits
Story continues below ad The People’s Liberation Army Air Force also flew a group of 21 warplanes, including fighter jets, to Taiwan on Tuesday night. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng also called the US ambassador to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, to convey the country’s protests that same evening. On Wednesday, China also banned some imports from Taiwan, including citrus fruits and fish. “We are very concerned about China’s threatening action and economic coercion,” Jolie told reporters. He said he had discussed the matter with German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and also spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken two days ago. 3:27 Pelosi’s controversial trip to Taiwan divides Taipei residents, world reactions Pelosi’s controversial Taiwan trip divides Taipei residents, world reactions Pelosi addressed Beijing’s threats Wednesday morning, saying she hoped it was clear that while China has blocked Taiwan from participating in some international meetings, “they understand that they will not stand in the way of people coming to Taiwan as a sign of friendship and support”. Story continues below ad He left on Wednesday afternoon for South Korea, the next stop on an Asia tour that also included Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. — with files from The Associated Press © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
