China warns U.S. house speaker and European Parliament VP for Taiwan visits

China warned the US and the EU that it would take “strong measures” if the EU and the US allowed for further “official” interactions with Taiwanese officials. 

US house speaker Nancy Pelosi has planned to visit Taiwan in August, according to a report by the Financial Times on Tuesday. On the other hand, One of the European Parliament Vice Presidents Nicola Beer visited Taiwan on Tuesday and met with Taiwanese President Tsai ing-wen.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokespersons Wang Wenbin and Zhao Lijian responded similarly when asked about Beer’s trip and Pelosi’s potential visit. “We urge the EU side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, speak and act with prudence on issues related to Taiwan, and prevent any serious disruption in China-Europe relations,” said Zhao. “Should the US side insist on doing otherwise, China will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US must assume full responsibility for any ensuing consequences,” said Wang. 

Pelosi’s plans to visit Taiwan in April were postponed after she tested positive for COVID-19. If the Financial Times report were to be true Pelosi would be the first US house speaker to visit Taiwan in more than two decades. 

Visits from key western politicians have become more frequent in the recent years as China’s threat continues to grow. “Taiwan’s bloom is also Europe’s bloom. We won’t turn a blind eye to China’s threats to Taiwan. Europe was late for Hong Kong, we won’t be late for Taiwan,” said Beer. “There is no room for Chinese aggression in democratic Taiwan. For the moment, we witness war in Europe; we do not want to witness war in Asia.”