News lead: Pelosi made the comments after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo as she wrapped up this week’s congressional delegation’s trip to Asia that included a visit to Taiwan, which triggered the drills that Beijing plans to last several days.
Pelosi denounced the Chinese military for launching missiles into the sea near Taiwan on Thursday, demanding that it “immediately” halt the launches as Japanese officials estimated five ballistic missiles landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. There were no immediate reports of Chinese military missiles on Friday, but Taiwan’s defense ministry said several Chinese warships and fighter jets “participated in exercises around the Taiwan Strait and have crossed the median line.”
What they say: Pelosi said Beijing has tried to isolate Taipei with actions such as opposing the World Health Organization from granting recognition to Taiwan.
“The Chinese made their strikes, probably using our visit as an excuse,” he said. “They may try to prevent Taiwan from visiting or participating with other places, but they will not isolate Taiwan,” Pelosi said. “They don’t schedule our trips, the Chinese government doesn’t do that.”
Note: Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken expressed concern on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cambodia that Beijing may be trying to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
“We and countries around the world believe that escalation serves no one and could have unintended consequences that serve no one’s interests, including ASEAN members and China,” Blinken said.
Flashback: China’s foreign minister said a day before live-fire drills near Taiwan that Pelosi’s visit to Taipei was a “hoax” and those who “offend China will definitely be punished.” Context: The ruling Chinese Communist Party considers the democratically administered island a breakaway province. Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
