China and the US worked out a safe flight corridor for Speaker Nancy Pelosi so her US Air Force plane could safely depart from Taiwan. Reports are coming in as of 7:30 AM EDT that the Speaker's aircraft has, in fact, safely departed.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi concluded her controversial visit to Taiwan, with a plane carrying America’s third highest-ranking official taking off from Songshan Airport in Taipei on Wednesday.
Pelosi arrived on the self-governed island on Tuesday despite stern warnings from Beijing, which views Taiwan a part of its territory under the One China policy.
During her short stay in Taipei, the House speaker promised that the US “will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan,” describing it as “one of the freest societies in the world.”
The 82-year-old addressed the local parliament, held a meeting with the island’s leader Tsai Ing-wen, and was awarded with the one of Taiwan’s highest civilian awards – the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon – for her firm stance in “safeguarding freedom, democracy and human rights.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has condemned Pelosi’s trip, saying it “seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity” and will have a “severe impact on the political foundation of China-US relations.”
