National Security Council spokesman John Kirby listens to a question during a briefing at the White House, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 3:20 PM PT – Monday, August 1, 2022
White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said Nancy Pelosi has the right to visit Taiwan despite warnings by China. Kirby told reporters on Monday, the Biden administration is fully committed to the One China Policy negotiated by former President Jimmy Carter.
China’s actions could include firing missiles near Taiwan, large-scale air or naval activities, or further “spurious legal claims” such as Beijing’s assertion that the Taiwan Strait is not an international waterway, Kirby told reporters. He added that China’s military deployments at the Taiwan Strait will not reduce US-Taiwanese ties.
“We will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling,” Kirby said. “At the same time, we will not be intimidated.”
UPDATE: China’s Foreign Ministry says it has repeated expressed its objection to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan. Spokesperson reiterates warning to US that China is standing by and the People’s Liberation Army will “never sit idly by”
— Olivia Siong (@OliviaSiongCNA) August 1, 2022
Kirby said that nothing about Pelosi’s possible trip changed US policy toward Taiwan and that Beijing was well aware the division in powers within the US government meant Pelosi would make her own decisions about the visit.
John Kirby: “We do not support Taiwan independence”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 1, 2022
“The speaker has the right to visit Taiwan,” he stated. “A speaker of the House has visited Taiwan before without incident as have many members of Congress, including this year,” he stated.
The Chinese PLA has just posted a new video ahead of #Pelosi‘s possible visit to #Taiwan.#China pic.twitter.com/rj5MLvYR9a
— خالد اسكيف (@khalediskef) August 1, 2022
The White House spokesperson said Pelosi’s decision on the Taiwan visit is not informed by China’s position. The Taiwanese media claimed Pelosi will visit the island nations this week although her travel plans still remain ambiguous.