What Taiwan thinks about Pelosi’s potential visit

While Pelosi — a forthright critic of Beijing — has so far declined to confirm the reports, she has said it is important for the US to show support for Taiwan, and lawmakers on both sides of Washington’s political divide have urged her to go. China, meanwhile, has lashed out at the idea, vowing to take “resolute and forceful measures” if any trip goes ahead. Far less vocal, however, has been the island at the center of the controversy. There has been no statement in favor of, or against, Pelosi’s potential trip from Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen or her office — though Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Wednesday that Taipei was “very grateful to Speaker Pelosi for her strong support and kindness towards Taiwan over the years” and that the island welcomes any friendly guests from overseas. Analysts say the relative silence is because Taiwan, a democratic self-governed island of 24 million people that China’s ruling Communist Party claims as part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, finds itself in an awkward spot.Taiwan, they point out, depends on US arms to defend itself against the possibility that China could invade and forcefully take it over — so it does not want to be seen as discouraging support from one of the US’ most powerful politicians.Yet if Taiwan appears too enthusiastic about the possibility of a Pelosi visit, the experts say, it risks fueling Beijing’s anger.On Thursday, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said it had “not received any definite information regarding Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan” and had “no further comment on this matter.” A person “If Taiwan remains muted and Pelosi comes, it will likely be read as a decision made by the US or Pelosi,” he said. “But if Taiwan openly calls for her to visit, Beijing could frame it as a plot by Taiwan. Countries in the region — like Japan, South Korea or even Australia — might also become less sympathetic towards Taiwan if they feel Taiwan is actively creating an issue out of nowhere.”However, that may only be part of the reason for Taipei’s relative silence. While international media has extensively covered Pelosi’s potential visit, it has barely made the headlines in Taiwan this week.Taiwanese news has instead mostly focused on scandals surrounding upcoming local elections and the island’s largest annual military drills.Wang Ting-yu, a Taiwanese MP from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said this was partly because Taiwanese audiences had become inured to threats from Beijing — which has had designs on the island ever since the end of the Chinese civil war more than seven decades ago.”We welcome all our friends from the United States and around the world. So whether Pelosi comes or not, we respect their decision. However, don’t let China interfere.”Su Tzu-yun, a director of Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the island “welcomes any friends from other countries, and we appreciate any support from the international community.” He said that were the situation to escalate, it would be Beijing’s responsibility.”Taiwan will never become a so-called freerider (on the US). We will show our willingness to defend ourselves,” he said.Additional reporting by Walid Berrazeg in Taipei.