Pelosi penned an opinion piece published by the Washington Post upon her arrival citing the Taiwan Relations Act as establishing a commitment to Taiwan's democracy and defense, adding, 'We must stand by Taiwan, which is an island of resilience.' She said Taiwan is under threat by the government in Beijing economically, in cyberspace, and potentially by military force. has never supported China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan and maintains a substantial, though unofficial, relationship with the island. switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, adopting what's known as the 'One China' policy, in which Washington acknowledges Beijing's position that Taiwan is a part of China. The Taiwanese government has operated separately from the mainland since nationalists fled there after losing the civil war to communists in 1949.

Rumors of Pelosi's visit launched a geopolitical firestorm amid escalating tensions between the U.S. The island democracy governs itself, but China claims it as its territory. Taiwan's defense ministry said reports that Chinese jets had crossed the strait were false. The day before Pelosi arrived in Taiwan, China suspended over 100 categories of Taiwanese food products for import. There are also signs China is preparing to step up economic pressures on Taiwan, which exports mostly agricultural goods and electronic components-including advanced semiconductors-to China. The spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry said on Twitter, 'The US & Taiwan have made provocations together first, whereas China has been compelled to act in self-defense.' The highly-anticipated stop, which was not announced in advance, has faced stark warnings from China, in turn worrying the White House that it could trigger a crisis in the Taiwan Strait and worsen already tense U.S.-China relations. Minutes after Pelosi landed, China's Eastern Theater Command announced live fire military exercises would begin as soon as Tuesday in six zones that encircle Taiwan.

and China and drawn a display of military aggression from China.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., landed in Taiwan late Tuesday evening local time, a high-profile visit that has magnified tensions between the U.S. Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP House Speaker Nancy Pelosi walks with Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu as she arrives in Taipei, Taiwan, on Tuesday, despite threats from Beijing of serious consequences, becoming the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China in 25 years. In this photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S.

Taipan fighter