House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and other lawmakers Wednesday, defying threats from Beijing to retaliate over the visit and raising fears of a military crisis in the Taiwan Strait, Washington Post reports.
During a ceremony at the presidential office, Pelosi accepted an award from the president on behalf of Congress, the “Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon,” which she said was a “symbol of our treasured friendship.”
“The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to all freedom-loving people,” Pelosi said. “Taiwan has been an island of resilience in the world. ... Now more than ever, America’s solidarity with Taiwan is crucial, and that is the message we are bringing here today.”