AIWAN TENTION: In what some may see as show of force by the United States, Nancy Pelosi, the US House Speaker has landed in Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) despite stark warnings from China and amid soaring tensions between the world’s two superpowers.

Live television images showed the 82-year-old lawmaker, who flew in on a US military aircraft into Taipei’s Songshan Airport, being greeted on arrival on Tuesday by Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu.

Moments before Pelosi’s landing in Taipei, Chinese media announced advanced Su-35 fighter jets were moving toward the island. However, the exact destination and mission of the jets were not announced.

“The US breach of faith on the Taiwan issue is despicable,” Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said in comments published on his ministry’s website earlier Tuesday.

Pelosi is the highest-ranking US official to go to Taiwan in 25 years and Beijing has made clear that it regards her visit as a major provocation. In 1997, the then-House speaker Newt Gingrich traveled to Taiwan and met with President Lee Teng-hui.

Notable Quotes

Pelosi said Tuesday upon arrival in Taiwan that her visit demonstrated America’s strong commitment to the island, which China considers a part of its territory.

“Our congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy,” she said in a statement moments after her plane landed.

The most senior US legislator said her trip “in no way” contradicted official US policy, which recognizes “one China” and has not officially recognized Taiwan as an independent state.

China slams ‘extremely dangerous’ US actions

China on Tuesday condemned Washington’s actions in Taiwan as “extremely dangerous.”

“The United States… constantly distorts, obscures and hollows out the ‘One China’ principle,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement after Pelosi’s plane touched down in Taiwan.

“These moves, like playing with fire, are extremely dangerous. Those who play with fire will perish by it.”