This handout photo taken and released by the Taiwan Presidential Office on December 1, 2024 shows Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te speaking by phone with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, during his visit to Honolulu, Hawaii.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te discussed “China’s military threats” toward the island in a call with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday (December 1, 2024), drawing criticism from Beijing.

Ms. Pelosi’s long-standing support for Taiwan has infuriated China, which responded to her visit to Taipei in 2022 with massive military drills around the island.

Mr. Lai and Ms. Pelosi discussed “China’s military threats toward Taiwan”, presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo told reporters, describing the 20-minute call between the “longtime friends” as “warm and amicable”.

China has already fumed over more U.S. arms sales to the island and Mr. Lai’s stop in Hawaii, where he was welcomed with red carpets, garlands of flowers and “alohas”.

In response to Mr. Lai’s conversation with Ms. Pelosi, China called on the U.S. to “stop meddling with Taiwan” and cease “supporting and indulging Taiwan independence separatist forces”.