House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday, defying stern warnings from Beijing against a visit that China’s Communist Party regards as a challenge to its sovereignty.
Mrs. Pelosi, the highest-ranking U.S. official in a quarter-century to visit the island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory, is set to meet Wednesday with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and legislators in the self-ruled democracy.
Chinese officials, including leader Xi Jinping in a phone call last week with President Biden, have warned of unspecified countermeasures should Mrs. Pelosi’s Taiwan visit proceed.
Follow along here with The Wall Street Journal for live updates on her visit.
China Suspends Natural Sand Exports to Taiwan
China's Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday that it would suspend natural sand exports to Taiwan, just hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taipei.
In a brief statement on its website, the Commerce Ministry said the export suspension was made based on related laws and regulations and took effect on Wednesday. It didn't say how long the suspension would last.
China has condemned Mrs. Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, and said it would take unspecified countermeasures should her visit proceed.
Before Mrs. Pelosi landed on the island, China temporarily halted imports of some food products from Taiwan, according to two Taiwanese ministries. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner.
Beijing is expected to use its economic and trade might to exert pressure on Taiwan and express unhappiness with Mrs. Pelosi's trip.
-- Grace Zhu contributed to this article.
Post time: Aug-03-2022