‘Proud of trip to Taiwan’: US House Speaker Pelosi describes visit that angered mainland China

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she is proud of her Taiwan trip, a whirlwind overnight visit to the self-ruled island that angered mainland China and prompted a series of PLA military drills. In remarks delivered at a press conference on August 10, 2022, Pelosi also said Washington will not allow Beijing to isolate Taiwan. The People’s Liberation Army’s drills around the island started August 3 and concluded on August 10 after announcing a three-day extension of the exercises. Mainland authorities regard Taiwan as a renegade province to be reunited by force if necessary. The mainland warns against official ties with the island, which most countries including the US do not recognise as a sovereign state.