Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. She has cancelled her controversial trip to Taiwan for this Sunday.
A press release by Drew Hammill, spokesman for the Speaker said: "After testing negative this week, Speaker Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic. The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided. The Speaker will quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly".
Soon before she was found Covid positive, Pelosi was with President Joe Biden and members of the Congress for official duties.
Pelosi's proposed trip to Taiwan became controversial after Beijing issued a barrage of warnings—right from the Chinese embassy in the US to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging her not to visit the island nation. The Chinese embassy spokesperson said: "In the past few days, Chinese Ambassador Qin Gang and the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. have lodged stern representations with the U.S. Congress and government on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's reported visit to Taiwan… urging the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle".
China firmly opposes any form of official contact between the United States and Taiwan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday, in response to a planned visit to Taiwan by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. pic.twitter.com/FSDef6qAeS
— Zhang Heqing张和清 (@zhang_heqing) April 7, 2022
Pelosi was to visit Taiwan in a show of solidarity at a time when the world's attention is riveted on the Russia-Ukraine war with strong assumptions that China too is eyeing an attack on Taiwan. The US has made it clear that it will support the island nation, which lies barely 180 kms to the east across the Taiwan Strait. Washington has also increased weapon sales to Taipei and is working with Japan to bolster the island's defences.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian warned in a press conference on Thursday that: "China would respond with resolute and forceful measures, and all ensuing consequences would be borne solely by the US" if the visit takes place.
Chinese government-managed newspaper Global Times gloated that Pelosi's cancellation of the trip was due to pressure from Beijing. The headline said: 'Pelosi ‘tests positive, postpones Asia trip’ after China warns resolute, forceful measures over reported Taiwan visit'.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wished Pelosi good health and prompt return to office. In a tweet, she said: "We look forward to continued cooperation to safeguard freedom & human rights".
Sending Taiwan’s best regards to @SpeakerPelosi. I wish you good health & a prompt return to the office. We look forward to continued cooperation to safeguard freedom & human rights.
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) April 8, 2022
The Chinese sensitivity over Taiwan stems from its One China Principle (OCP) under which it will try to make the island a part of mainland China even if it has to be done by force. Chinese President for Life, Xi Jinping, has made it clear in public speeches that he would like to unify Taiwan under all circumstances.
