Pelosi’s visit serves to erode Chinese confidence in US, says expert

The specialist in International Relations Tatiana Prazeres declared, this Tuesday (2), in an interview with CNN that the visit of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan serves to erode Chinese confidence in US authorities.

“The government will act in a way to demonstrate determination regarding its vision of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Measures in the military, economic and diplomatic areas are anticipated. This visit, in some way, contributes to eroding the confidence of the Chinese in the American authorities”, explains Prazeres.

“But this further deteriorates the relationship between the two powers. What the Chinese will do is demonstrate this determination towards the reunification of the country, hopefully peaceful. But they will leave no room to speculate whether or not China will use force if Taiwan declares independence, or the Americans change their position on the issue,” he continues.

Pelosi’s stop in Taipei marks the first time a US House Speaker has visited Taiwan in 25 years. His trip comes at a bad time in US-China relations and even after warnings from the Biden administration against a stopover on the island.

China’s Foreign Ministry said the gesture would have a “severe impact on the political basis of China-US relations”.

The California Democrat is leading a congressional delegation on a tour of Asia this week, which includes stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Though not included on her official itinerary, expectations that she was planning a visit to Taiwan have fueled tensions between the two countries since reports of a possible trip emerged last month.

In a statement after the landing, Pelosi and the congressional delegation that accompanied her said the visit “honors the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.”

For Prazeres, in China’s view, this visit could feed pro-independence positions in the locality. “That’s a red line. For the Chinese government, there is nothing more important in terms of foreign policy than Taiwan.”

“And, in fact, it has this importance because in the view of the Chinese government, Taiwan is not a matter of foreign policy, it is a matter of domestic policy, and disrespect for sovereignty and territorial integrity”, concludes the expert.

Pelosi, a direct critic of Beijing, has previously said it is important for the US to show support for Taiwan.