Taipei: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday morning met with Taiwan's President, Tsai Ing-wen and reiterated Washington's support to the island country and said that the US' determination to preserve Taiwan's sovereignty is "iron-clad”.
"America has made a bedrock promise to always stand with Taiwan. On this strong foundation, we've a thriving partnership grounded in self-government and self-determination focused on mutual security in the region and the world committed to economic prosperity," Pelosi said.
The US House Speaker had touched down in Taiwan on Tuesday night amid repeated condemnation by China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory.
Shortly after Pelosi landed, 21 Chinese military aircraft flew into the southwestern part of Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), as confirmed by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).
Taiwan: There's struggle between democracy & autocracy in world. As China uses its soft power in order to gain support, we've to talk about Taiwan in terms of its technological advancement & show people Taiwan's courage to become more democratic-US Speaker @SpeakerPelosi pic.twitter.com/zBl5vw5c06
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) August 3, 2022
During her meeting with Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential office in Taipei, Pelosi termed Taiwan as a flourishing country and said that Taipei had proved the world that hope, courage and determination can build peaceful and prosperous future despite challenges that the country faced.
"Now, more than ever, America's solidarity with Taiwan is crucial, that's the message we bring in today," she added.
Also Read: 21 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan Air Defence Zone amid Pelosi's visit
"Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy," Pelosi said adding.
"America's determination to preserve democracy here in Taiwan and around the world remains ironclad.”
According to The New York Times, Pelosi is also likely to hold discussions with a number of human rights leaders on Wednesday afternoon, before she departs. (ANI)
