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US-China relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Taiwan may try to keep high-level Pelosi visit ‘low-profile’, analysts say

  • US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could list trip as ‘unofficial’ to accommodate Beijing, according to former US defence official
  • Observers expect her to receive top-level treatment reserved for foreign dignitaries, regardless of the status of the visit

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US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could arrive in Taiwan as early as Tuesday, according to Taiwanese media. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Lawrence Chung
Taiwan will give US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a low-profile but high-level reception if the 82-year-old defies Beijing’s repeated warnings and makes an unannounced visit to the island.
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Regardless of the capacity in which Pelosi travels to Taiwan, she will be given the highest official reception, meeting Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and receiving treatment reserved for top foreign dignitaries, analysts said.

But they said Taipei would try to keep the trip low-profile to avoid further antagonising Beijing, which again sounded a warning yesterday against the potential visit.

Taiwanese media, quoting unnamed sources, said Pelosi could arrive in Taiwan as early as Tuesday and would meet Tsai the following day. The island’s government declined to comment.

The US House speaker, who is joined by five other members of Congress, began her Asia trip in Singapore on Monday, meeting the city state’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who underscored the importance of stable US-China relations.

“PM Lee and the congressional delegation also exchanged views on key international and regional developments, including the war in Ukraine, cross-strait relations, and climate change. PM Lee highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security,” Singapore’s foreign ministry said in a statement after the meeting.

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Observers have said countries in the Asia-Pacific region were concerned they could be dragged into the China-US rivalry – and forced to take sides – should the two big powers enter a military conflict over Taiwan.

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