Pelosi Reaffirms Support for Taiwan in Call with President Lai.

Taipei: Former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reaffirmed her support for Taiwan's involvement in international organizations during a recent 20-minute phone conversation with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te. This call took place on Sunday as part of Lai's ongoing interactions with senior American politicians deemed pro-Taiwan, according to Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo. According to Focus Taiwan, Lai reached out to several of these American politicians, including Pelosi, while in Hawaii, adhering to the customary practice for Taiwan presidents making stopovers in the U.S. Although Kuo did not specify all the individuals Lai contacted, she confirmed Pelosi's inclusion in these crucial discussions. During their conversation, Pelosi extended a warm welcome to President Lai upon his arrival in the U.S. and congratulated him on winning the 2024 presidential election earlier in January. She also highlighted the bipartisan support for Taiwan within the U.S. Congress and stressed the need to a ddress and resolve the double-taxation issue between Taiwan and the U.S., a matter currently under negotiation. Moreover, Pelosi lauded the Taiwanese people for their courage and praised Taiwan's steadfast commitment to freedom, democracy, and its impressive economic growth. She emphasized the unimaginable global consequences should Taiwan's sovereignty be compromised. Pelosi also reiterated her support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to these topics, the conversation between Lai and Pelosi covered critical issues including the semiconductor industry, advancements in artificial intelligence, and the ongoing threat of Chinese military aggression toward Taiwan. Pelosi's visit to Taiwan from August 2 to 3 in 2022 marked a significant diplomatic event, as she became the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the island in 25 years. Her visit led to a series of retaliatory actions from Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, including large-scale military exercises simulating a blockade around Taiwan. As part of his current itinerary, President Lai is spending two nights in Hawaii before proceeding to the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu, two of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the South Pacific. On his return journey, Lai plans a one-day stopover in Guam before heading to Palau, another nation with formal diplomatic ties to Taiwan, on December 5. He is scheduled to return to Taiwan on December 6. This seven-day visit marks Lai's first official overseas trip since taking office in May.