The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has been visiting Taiwan's parliament and meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, despite China warning of "serious consequences" for her trip going ahead.
Look back at how the day's events unfolded with our blog.
Key events
- Taiwan's defence ministry says China's military drills have violated UN rules
- Why did Nancy Pelosi go to Taiwan?
- Albanese says Australia's position on Taiwan remains unchanged
- Pelosi is visiting Taiwan's parliament
- White House reacts to Pelosi's trip
- China to launch military operations over visit
- What will Pelosi do on her visit?
Live updates
By Kate Ainsworth
That's where we'll leave the blog today
Thanks for following along throughout the day.
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By Kate Ainsworth
Pelosi says US wants Taiwan to 'always have freedom with security'
Speaking at a news conference a short time ago, Nancy Pelosi was asked about China exerting pressure on Taiwan and how democratic countries can deter China from invading Taiwan, and how Taiwan can guide China towards a democratic political system.
Ms Pelosi reiterated that the world was experiencing a struggle between autocracy and democracy.
"We cannot back away from that, and so as China goes and uses its soft power, money and whatever into many countries in order to get their support at the UN and other bodies, we have to recognise if that has some effectiveness, because it's a lot of money and it's promises that may or may not be kept," she said.
Ms Pelosi said Taiwan's democracy is in stark contrast to what is seen in mainland China.
"We're not supporters of the status quo, we don't want anything to happen to Taiwan by force," she said.
"We want Taiwan to always have freedom with security and we're not backing away from that."
By Kate Ainsworth
Some more photos of Pelosi meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen
By Kate Ainsworth
Taiwan's defence ministry says China's military drills have violated UN rules
Taiwan's defence ministry says China's military drills have invaded its territorial space and amount to a blockage of its air and sea which violates United Nations rules.
China has ramped up its military drills in response to Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island.
Taiwan's defence ministry said the island will firmly defend its security, counter any move that violates territorial sovereignty and enhance its alertness level with the principle of not asking for war.
By Kate Ainsworth
Taiwan is an 'island of resilience', Pelosi says
Nancy Pelosi used her speech to praise Taiwan for its resilience in the face of adversity, saying she admired its courage in maintaining its democracy despite its challenges.
"The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to all freedom loving people in the United States and around the world," she said.
"Out of a crucible of challenges you have forged a flourishing democracy, one of the freest in the world proudly to be led by a woman president.
"Taiwan has been an island of resilience in the world and indeed the people of Taiwan have proven to the world that with hope, courage and determination it is possible to build a peaceful and prosperous future, even in terms of the challenges you face."
By Kate Ainsworth
Pelosi: We will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan
Nancy Pelosi began her speech recalling a commitment made by the United States to Taiwan 43 years ago.
"Under the Taiwan Relations Act, America made a bedrock promise to always stand with Taiwan," she said.
"On this strong foundation we have built a thriving partnership , grounded in our shared values of self government and self determination, focused on our mutual security interests in the region and across the world, committed to the economic ties that power prosperity for all of our people.
"Today our delegation of which I'm very proud came to Taiwan to make it unequivocally clear we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan and we are proud of our enduring friendship."
By Kate Ainsworth
Taiwan presents Pelosi with the Order of Propitious Clouds
Before their respective speeches, Nancy Pelosi was presented with a ribbon and medal on behalf of the Congress by Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, which she wore throughout her speech.
The award is the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, which Pelosi described as "a symbol of America's strong and enduring friendship with Taiwan".
The award is a civilian order of the Republic of China, and the centre of the medal features a picture of clouds as a token of auspiciousness.
Pelosi is one of a handful of people who have been presented the award since it was first instituted in 1941.
By Shiloh Payne
Pelosi has concluded her speech
She is now joining members of the Taiwan parliament for a photo.
By Shiloh Payne
Pelosi: 'Now more than ever, America's solidarity with Taiwan is crucial'
Nancy Pelosi says her trip was to make it "unequivocally clear" of her commitment of Taiwan.
"The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to all freedom-loving people," she says
“Now more than ever, America’s solidarity with Taiwan is crucial, and that is the message that we are bringing here today.”
She has once again mentioned the three pillars of her travel, they are global security, economics and governance.
By Shiloh Payne
Pelosi is now delivering her remarks
Pelosi is now speaking in front of Taiwan's president.
She says all sides of US politics are united in their support to Taiwan.
"The response we had to our visit was so positive from our colleagues," she says.
She say it's important to remind people of the Taiwan Relations Act from 1979 that has built a strong foundation for "a thriving partnership".
By Shiloh Payne
President Tsai Ing-wen is welcoming Pelosi to Taiwan
President Tsai Ing-wen says Pelosi has deep and long standing ties with Taiwan.
She has extended her "most heartfelt gratitude" to Pelosi for her unwavering interest in the region.
"I have great admiration for Speaker Pelosi," she says.
She says Taiwan's key principles in facing uncertanties include not backing down against military threats and doing whatever it takes to strengthen Taiwan's capability.
She says Taiwan is a trustworthy and reliable partner of the US.
By Shiloh Payne
Pelosi is meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen
Nancy Pelosi is accepting the Order of Propituous Clouds on behalf of the Congress.
She says it's a symbol of America's "strong and enduring" friendship with Taiwan.
By Kate Ainsworth
Where does the US stand on Taiwan?
We've heard repeatedly from that the Biden administration and Pelosi that the US is committed to its "one-China policy."
Taiwan split from mainland China during a civil war in 1949, but China claims the island as its own territory, and has not ruled out using military force to take it — and has been ramping up both military and diplomatic pressure in recent years.
In 2016, China cut off all contact with Taiwan's government after President Tsai Ing-wen refused to endorse China's claim that the island and mainland together make up a single Chinese nation, with Communist Beijing being the sole legitimate government.
China sees America's official contact with Taiwan as encouragement for the island to make its decades-old de facto independence permanent — despite US leaders saying they don't support that step.
By Shiloh Payne
More of your thoughts:
The only reason the U.S cares about Taiwan is to spite China and secure it's intrests in the Pacific. The U.S has conducted more coups on democratically elected governments than any other nation. It continues to illegally blockade Cuba for no reason. The U.S doesn't care about Australia, Taiwan or any nation in the Pacific and Oceania, they only wish to spite China
- Bolton
By Kate Ainsworth
Why did Nancy Pelosi go to Taiwan?
Per the Associated Press, the US House Speaker has a history of showing her support for embattled democracy movements.
In 1991, Ms Pelosi visited Tiananmen Square where she unrolled a small banner supporting democracy along with other lawmakers, with Chinese security officers trying to put a stop to it.
Chinese forces had crushed a homegrown democracy movement at the same spot two years earlier.
Ms Pelosi is positioning her Taiwan trip as part of a broader mission when "the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy", and this trip in particular is a capstone to her years of promoting democracy abroad.
In an opinion piece published by The Washington Post on her arrival to Taiwan, she said "we must stand by Taiwan", and cited the commitment that the US made to a democratic Taiwan under a 1979 law.
"It is essential that America and our allies make clear that we never give into autocrats," she wrote.
By Shiloh Payne
Pelosi outlines the purpose of her visit
Nancy Pelosi has spoken to Taiwan's parliament this morning, this is what she said:
By Shiloh Payne
US considering legislation to help defend Taiwan
Senators are considering legislation to bolster Taiwan’s defence as direct response to China’s rhetoric.
The Taiwan Policy Act, which has support from both parties, will be discussed today by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The package would bolster Taiwan’s defence capabilities with nearly $US4.5 billion in security assistance over the next four years and provide other support for Taiwan’s democratic government and civil society.
The measure would also designate Taiwan as a “major non-NATO ally,” which opens the door to more security and trade benefits.
Backers call it the most comprehensive restructuring of U.S. policy toward Taiwan since the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.
By Shiloh Payne
America will 'never give in to autocrats', Pelosi says
In a Washington Post opinion piece released after landing, Pelosi explained her visit, criticising China as having dramatically increased tensions with Taiwan in recent years.
"We cannot stand by as the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] proceeds to threaten Taiwan - and democracy itself," Pelosi said.
Pelosi also cited China's "brutal crackdown" on political dissent in Hong Kong and its treatment of Muslim Uyghurs and other minorities, which the United States has deemed genocide.
“It is essential that America and our allies make clear that we never give in to autocrats,” she wrote.
By Shiloh Payne
Here are some of your thoughts:
As an Australian who spent significant years of my life growing up Taiwan, I understand the severity of the issue. It is a matter of bullying, and China knows Taiwan would not stand a chance if they pursued invasion. However, Taiwan has been latching onto the hope that they may receive support if they got attacked (most of the hope is pinned on the USA, Japan and Australia). If China knew for certain that Taiwan has no backup, what’s to stop them? That’s where the real vital point lies. By Albanese saying “that’s a matter for them” he is not keeping his hands clean, that response in itself is already playing a significant role towards Taiwan’s future.
- Concerned
