PELOSI TELLS TAIWAN: AMERICA IS WITH YOU ALL THE WAY

Menacing threats from China as Pelosi hails Taiwan as an inspiration to the world

- Anthony France

US SPEAKER Nancy Pelosi today vowed America will not abandon Taiwan during a high-profile visit to the self-governing island that has raised tensions with China.

"Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy," she said in a short speech during a meeting with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen. "America's determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and around the world, remains ironclad."

The visit sparked a furious backlash in Beijing, which immediately announced it will hold military drills and a blockade of key products between Taiwan and the mainland.

Taiwan is self-ruled since a civil war in 1949, but China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually unite with it. In her meeting with Ms. Tsai at the presidential office, Ms. Pelosi called Taiwan an "inspiration to all freedom-loving people".

Ms. Pelosi's trip - the first by a senior US politician in 25 years has heightened US-China tensions more than visits by other members of Congress because of her high-level position as leader of the House of Representatives.