War of words over Pelosi visit f ires up

The White House has summoned China’s ambassador to condemn its escalating actions against Taiwan, the latest step in an intensifying geopolitical crisis as Washington and Beijing exchange accusations following a trip by United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan that infuriated Chinese leaders.

Officials told ambassador Qin Gang that China’s recent military actions – including firing missiles into the waters around Taiwan – were ‘‘irresponsible and at odds with our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait’’, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, visiting Cambodia, delivered an equally sharp message to China. ‘‘These provocative actions are a significant escalation,’’ he said. ‘‘They’ve taken dangerous acts to a new level.’’

China said yesterday it was cancelling or suspending dialogue with the US on issues including climate change, military relations and anti-drug efforts. Beijing also announced unspecified sanctions on Pelosi

and her immediate family, in retaliation for what it called a ‘‘malicious and provocative’’ insistence on visiting Taiwan over Beijing’s strong opposition.

‘‘Ambassador Qin Gang totally rejected the so-called condemnation of Chinese military countermeasures,’’ the Chinese embassy in Washington said. ‘‘It is the US side that is the troublemaker to peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and the region.’’

Pelosi, for her part, remained defiant.

China ‘‘may try to keep Taiwan from visiting or participating in other places, but they will not isolate Taiwan’’, she said in Tokyo, her final stop on an Asian tour. She added that Beijing could not dictate who could visit the island.

Virtually all the senior members of US President Joe Biden’s national security team privately expressed deep reservations about Pelosi’s trip and its timing, a White House official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Top administration officials outlined for Pelosi’s offices the likely consequences of her visit, officials said, and General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, personally briefed Pelosi.

But when it became clear that Pelosi – the US’ third-highestranking official, behind Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris – was determined to make the trip, administration officials began publicly defending her right to do so, emphasising that she was entirely independent of the White House, and warning China against over-reacting.