China’s foreign ministry announced unspecified sanctions on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her immediate family on Friday, following her visit earlier this week to the self-ruled island nation of Taiwan.
In a statement, the Chinese foreign ministry said that the highest-ranking official of the US, Nancy Pelosi, had disregarded China’s concerns and resolute opposition to her visit to Taiwan, which China claims.
In the statement, Ms. Pelosi’s visit was described as a provocative action that “undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” but there are no details regarding sanctions against Ms. Pelosi. These curbs are generally symbolic in nature.
Furthermore, China has moved to halt cooperation with the US on a spread of issues, including climate change, military issues, anti-drug efforts, talks over cross-border crime prevention, etc.
Earlier on Thursday, in retaliation to Ms. Pelosi’s visit, China held live-drills just off Taiwan’s coast and they are expected to go on until Sunday.
The White House summoned Chinese ambassador to Washington Qin Gang to condemn the “irresponsible” behavior of Beijing over Taiwan which resulted in escalating actions against Taiwan and reiterated that the US does not want a crisis in the region, the senior US official said. (Aljazeera)
Meanwhile, the statement issued by the Taiwan foreign ministry stated that “the inclusion of Taiwan in the itinerary of Speaker Pelosi’s first Asian tour since the US Congress resumed overseas travel this year fully demonstrates the high regard that the Congress has for Taiwan and once again emphasizes the rock-solid US commitment to Taiwan.”