China’s Xi no match for Pelosi

After Beijing’s belligerent threats and tantrums over her visit, there will be widespread relief that Nancy Pelosi has completed what she set out to do and has left Taiwan safely. Such relief must be accompanied by admiration for the way the 82-year-old US House of Representatives Speaker, who is second in the line of succession to the US presidency, refused to kowtow to China’s bullying and Joe Biden’s timorous attempts to dissuade her from making the trip.

Ms Pelosi, who arrived in Taiwan in her pink suit and high heels on Tuesday night, effectively humiliated Chinese President Xi Jinping, earning the respect of the free world. Even many US Republicans are applauding her. Not proceeding with the visit after Beijing raised its threats – including the possibility of shooting down Ms Pelosi’s aircraft – would have signalled US weakness and encouraged even more brinkmanship by Beijing. It also would have dismayed US allies in the region, already worried about Washington’s staying power at a time of Chinese aggression.

Failure to go ahead also would have been a severe body blow to Taiwan as it confronts Mr Xi’s escalating rhetoric about taking control of Taiwan. For 50 years, the mutual understanding between the US and China has been that China will wait for peaceful reunification while the US recognises one China and observes “strategic ambiguity” about defending Taiwan. Mr Xi wants to unify China on his presidential watch. US officials believe he has advanced his timetable for reunification from later this decade to perhaps as soon as 18 months.

Ms Pelosi has defied the Chinese Communist Party at a time Taiwan’s people have become more antagonistic towards China. Mr Xi’s decision to violate China’s treaty with Britain and crush Hong Kong’s autonomy had a profound impact on Taiwanese attitudes.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong called on all sides on Wednesday to de-escalate tensions. But as Ms Pelosi said, there is also a need for solidarity with not only “the 23 million people of the island (Taiwan) but also with millions of others oppressed and menaced by the People’s Republic of China”.

Beijing predictably ratcheted up its aggression during the visit, ordering deployment of warships and combat aircraft to the Taiwan Strait and live shelling of the area. It also has imposed commercial embargoes on Taiwan, including the export to Taiwan of “natural sand” and the import of Taiwanese pineapple cakes and bear biscuits. More will doubtless follow.