China announced sanctions on Nancy Pelosi after her trip to Taiwan.
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China on Friday imposed sanctions on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her immediate family in response to what the foreign ministry described as a “flagrant provocation”.
Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this week in what was a highly controversial move. China considers the island part of its territory, but Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
China repeatedly expressed its opposition to Pelosi’s trip to the disputed island, but the US official decided not to cancel her plans.
“Disregarding China’s serious concerns and firm opposition, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted on visiting China’s Taiwan region. This constitutes serious interference in China’s internal affairs China. It seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously tramples on the one-China principle, and seriously threatens peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” a ministry spokesman said in a statement.
“In response to Pelosi’s blatant provocation, China decides to adopt sanctions against Pelosi and her immediate family members in accordance with the relevant laws of the People’s Republic of China,” they added.
The statement did not include specific details about the nature of the sanctions.
Political analysts have warned that Pelosi’s decision to visit Taiwan could increase tensions between the United States and China. That relationship has been strained for years over issues including Taiwan, the global economy and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a phone call last month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told US President Joe Biden not to “play with fire” in Taiwan. The White House said in a statement that US policy had not changed and that it “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
Pelosi is the highest-ranking US official to visit the island in 25 years. His trip also divided US lawmakers, with some questioning the timing of the visit.
During the trip, which was part of a broader diplomatic tour of Asia, Pelosi said Taiwan is an emblem of democracy and a model for the region.
In another sign of Beijing’s anger over Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China’s military has held its largest military exercises near the island.
Taiwan’s defense officials have called the drills “highly provocative” and added that they are monitoring the moves.