Pelosi / DelBene Indo-Pacific tour makes sudden stop in Taiwan

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a stop in Taiwan Tuesday while on a tour of the Indo-Pacific. As the Today So Far Blog previously reported, Washington Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is part of the group touring with Pelosi.

The stop in Taiwan was not announced.

Tuesday's visit is the first time a house speaker has made an official trip to Taiwan in 25 years (Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Taiwan in 1997).

A statement from Pelosi's office says that the delegation will be speaking with Taiwan leadership and "will focus on reaffirming our support for our partner and on promoting our shared interests, including advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

"America’s solidarity with the 23 million people of Taiwan is more important today than ever, as the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy," the statement reads.

“Our visit is one of several Congressional delegations to Taiwan – and it in no way contradicts longstanding United States policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, U.S.-China Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances. The United States continues to oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo.”

The trip has drawn attention for its potential to increase tensions with China. Taiwan claims independence, while China claims the country as part of its own territory.