White House called in Chinese ambassador for protest over aggression toward Taiwan

The Biden administration summoned the Chinese ambassador to the White House on Thursday to condemn Beijing’s aggressive behavior toward Taiwan following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Ambassador Qin Gang was brought in for a démarche, a form of protest through diplomatic means.

“We condemned the [People’s Republic of China’s] military actions, which are irresponsible and at odds with our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Mr. Kirby said. “We made clear to the Ambassador that Beijing’s actions are of concern to Taiwan, to us, and to our partners around the world.”

Mr. Kirby said the administration highlighted a statement from the Group of Seven leaders rejecting Beijing’s attempt to intimidate Taiwan.

At the same time, the U.S. said it wanted to keep lines of communication open and maintains its “one-China” policy.

Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province, so it is sensitive to any claim that Taiwan is independent.

“Nothing has changed about our one-China policy. We also made clear that the United States is prepared for what Beijing chooses to do,” Mr. Kirby said. “We will not seek and do not want a crisis. At the same time, we will not be deterred from operating in the seas and skies of the Western Pacific, consistent with international law, as we have for decades — supporting Taiwan and defending a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Beijing is deeply unhappy with Mrs. Pelosi’s visit. 

It announced sanctions against the speaker and her family on Friday and eight “countermeasures” against the U.S., including the cancelation of some military coordination and suspension of climate talks and cooperation on illegal immigration and narcotics enforcement.