Nancy Pelosi’s Controversial Flight To Taiwan

Nancy Pelosi’s Controversial Flight To Taiwan

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US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just flew on one of the world’s most tracked flights in history.

US Air Force jet flies from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei

A US Air Force Boeing C-40C just completed a flight from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) near Kuala Lumpur to Songshan Airport (TSA) near Taipei with the callsign SPAR19. The Boeing C-40C is the military version of the Boeing 737, and this particular plane is 11 years old, having been delivered to the government in December 2010.

While the flight between Kuala Lumpur and Taipei has a direct air distance of just over 2,000 miles and would ordinarily take around four hours, this flight took nearly seven hours. That’s because the flight took a very circuitous routing, intended to stay as far away from mainland China as possible. The plane traveled over Indonesia and to the east of the Philippines, before approaching Taiwan from the southeast.

That’s because China has made quite some veiled threats about a potential visit, with Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Tan Kefei saying:

“If Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan, the move will seriously violate the one-China principle and the provisions in the three China-U.S. joint communiques, severely endanger China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Prior to the plane landing, officials hadn’t confirmed that Pelosi was on the plane, but reading between the lines, it was pretty obvious. This flight was so popular to track that Flightradar24 was unable to handle the amount of traffic to its site, as there was interest from hundreds of thousands of people at any given point.

You can watch a video of the plane arriving in Taipei below.

Why is Nancy Pelosi visiting Taiwan?

House Speaker Pelosi and several other politicians are currently on a tour of Asia. This trip is officially expected to include Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, where high-level meetings are intended to discuss “shared interests,” including the pandemic, climate change, and trade.

However, what’s getting the most attention about this trip is Pelosi’s plans to visit Taiwan, given the objections from mainland China. The White House has been opposed to Pelosi visiting Taiwan, out of fears that it would further escalate tensions between Washington and Beijing. While Pelosi removed Taiwan from her official schedule, clearly this was still planned all along.

This is the first time in 25 years that a US House Speaker, who is second in line of presidential succession (after the vice president), has visited Taiwan.

Of course the controversy here comes down to Taiwan’s sovereignty. Beijing considers Taiwan to be ruled by the People’s Republic of China, while Taiwan claims to be independent, with democratic elections. Officials in Beijing view this visit as a violation of the one-China principle.

Bottom line

Nancy Pelosi is currently visiting Taiwan. The US Air Force jet carrying her took quite a circuitous touring, as expected, and the plane landed in Taipei late at night. Rather than the typical flight time of four hours, this flight took closer to seven hours.

This was the world’s most tracked flight in a long time,, and for good reason. This has major political implications, and will no doubt anger officials in Beijing.

Conversations (53)
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  1. FlyerDon Guest

    It helps to remember that Pelosi, as Speaker of the House, represents and reports to the citizens of the United States, not the Democratic Party. She does not report to the President. Under the Biden Administration and every other administration except Trumps, we have three independent branches of government, Executive, Judicial and Legislative. That's how our government is supposed to work. And by the way, three months ago six senators visited Taiwan. Guess who lead...

    It helps to remember that Pelosi, as Speaker of the House, represents and reports to the citizens of the United States, not the Democratic Party. She does not report to the President. Under the Biden Administration and every other administration except Trumps, we have three independent branches of government, Executive, Judicial and Legislative. That's how our government is supposed to work. And by the way, three months ago six senators visited Taiwan. Guess who lead the delegation? Lindsey Graham. I wonder if he had to get Trump's approval before he went?

  2. Christian Guest

    Mademoiselle Nancy Pelossi visit to Taiwan is very important. United States and Taiwan are close than ever with Mademoiselle Pelosi visit.

  3. UA-NYC Diamond

    Oh, you mean the same national media that covered it nonstop the past week? OK chump.

  4. Bill Guest

    You assume the long route for safety concerns, but did you ever think that maybe she just needed the extra frequent flier points?

  5. Lee Guest

    You forgot to mention her delegation is staying at the famously haunted Grand Hyatt Taipei. It is still category 4 with an excellent Globalist lounge, so hopefully many of them redeemed their expiring Category 1-4 Free Night Awards!

  6. Emily Guest

    China and the US are like kindergarteners throwing a tantrum towards each other, but unable to do anything more.

    On a different note, the flight is controversial only to the PRC and the USA. While I understand that there is a separation of powers and that each branch of the government can operate independently, the US appears extremely foolish in that it cannot even project itself united on a single topic.

  7. KK13 Diamond

    One word: SEMICONDUCTOR

  8. Brianair Guest

    I believe in you, Taiwan. You will prevail. You will become an independent country. I wish Xianggang/Shenzhen Nan (South) could be where you are. The CCP is clearly high with the whole One China Policy and it’s time for them to get their paws off this matter and move on. And I hope TSA will stay open forever.

  9. Fuuuuuhh Guest

    We're poking this bear now? We don't have enough issues in our own country to resolve? We think this is the best moment to go stir the pot? WTF America? Priorities.

    1. Watson Diamond

      Go watch more Tucker and let the adults talk.

    2. Watson The First Guest

      Let the adults virtue signal. Pelosi bought $9MM in semiconductor stocks. The next day she's pitching the semiconductor bill to congress worth $50B. Then a tour of nVidia in Taiwan. Ask yourself why she was there again.

  10. Eskimo Guest

    The flight probably is trying to avoid being accused by China of running SIGINT from US military planes.
    The question is did the C-40 run SIGINT over ally countries?

  11. Justin Guest

    Thank God China hasn't yet developed vodka seeking missiles.

  12. Phil Young Guest

    It is a tough decision for China about how to respond to Pelosi's visit. It is blessing that they decided not to cross the military action line towards Taiwan for this incidence, but eventually and unfortunately that will be the most possible way to solve this, in some years when China becomes more powerful and confident. :( So far, it is a shame on their face but there is no real loss, saving for some...

    It is a tough decision for China about how to respond to Pelosi's visit. It is blessing that they decided not to cross the military action line towards Taiwan for this incidence, but eventually and unfortunately that will be the most possible way to solve this, in some years when China becomes more powerful and confident. :( So far, it is a shame on their face but there is no real loss, saving for some future trouble visits by other countries' top officials like Lithuania and Czech Republic.

  13. Jerry Diamond

    Where are the Wumaos?

  14. JOJO Guest

    Good for her for not backing down. It's only a controversy if your a CCP spokes mouth.
    Can the CCP show when they controled the island? Cuz they never did

    1. D3kingg Guest

      @John

      It’s going to be Biden Trump in 2024. Biden can go hide somewhere until the election is over.

      Not like he’s running the country now. Makes no difference. Anyone but Trump.
      Biden 6 to 1 odds is a good bet. He’s already president.

  15. Syd Guest

    Good on her for not tampering to China's threats and proceeding as planned.

    Bad on her for doing the trip at all. With our country in its current shape, last thing we need is another escalation/provocation with someone, especially someone like China, all over Nancy's personal interest.

  16. BKAloha Guest

    I wish China could let Taiwan live in peace and move on. Sometimes life isn't fair and you win some and lose some.

    1. D3kingg Guest

      @BKAloha

      That doesn’t concern you.

  17. Steve Diamond

    Good on Pelosi for visiting and not being scared by China, we need more of this leadership.
    (Granted she's probably just gathering info on her next long/short positions though)

    1. JWags Guest

      Can't wait for her husband to magically NAIL some big semiconductor trades in the next 6 months

    2. SadStateofOurCountry Guest

      ivanka already nailed those deals

    3. D3kingg Guest

      @Steve

      Sure while China threatening a high ranking US official is unacceptable you kind of bought this upon yourself. This is the weakest US administration in our lifetime.

    4. Steve Diamond

      Im well aware of how weak Biden is. This is big though China would never invade Tawain under trump or obama, after our response to russia and biden's afghan nightmare China is ready to pounce. I dont care who you vote for this is is good that the US is sending a message that we wont roll over on Tawain.

    5. D3kingg Guest

      @Steve

      Yeah. They called us out. How do they off the island ?

    6. Tony Donovan Guest

      How weak biden is? Only weak in the eyes of those that think being a blowhard equates to strength. Biden rallied NATO and pissed in Putins punchbowl 6 months ago and just last week took out OBL's successor. Fact is that of our last four presidents, the two republicans were the weakest in dealing with Russia or terrorism.

    7. Dan77W Guest

      Biden rallied no one, if you remember we let Europe take the lead by the Germans for the first few weeks. THE US was truly leading from behind, offering no more support than a VIP airlift. Our military didn’t give Ukraine more than 2 or 3 weeks, we didn’t throw our full weight behind them until late spring, yet still throwing roadblocks in terms of the types and nature of equipment they needed. Thankfully most...

      Biden rallied no one, if you remember we let Europe take the lead by the Germans for the first few weeks. THE US was truly leading from behind, offering no more support than a VIP airlift. Our military didn’t give Ukraine more than 2 or 3 weeks, we didn’t throw our full weight behind them until late spring, yet still throwing roadblocks in terms of the types and nature of equipment they needed. Thankfully most of us here don’t have memories as short as you suppose. Never would’ve happened, and neither would these challenges in Asia without the complete debacle in Kabul. Like it or not bullies respect only power and leverage…..Joe ain’t up to this!

    8. Eskimo Guest

      @Tony Donovan

      Ironically, Biden never did endorse Pelosi's trip.

  18. Sam Guest

    Trump called their bluff with sanctions. Palosi is doing just as much here. Good on her. We need more real leaders by example.

  19. frrp Diamond

    West Taiwan should have no claim over Taiwan :D

  20. Bruce Guest

    Taiwan doesn’t claim to be independent. They claim to be the one true China.

    1. JetSetFly Guest

      If not for loser Chiang Kai Shek and his comrades, Taiwan would never be put in this terrible situation. Taiwan had a chance to be an independent nation when US decided to recognize China in 1979. But Chiang couldn’t loose his face or his legitimacy to rule Taiwan, so he refused the offer. Obviously local Taiwanese people had no say in this since Chiang and his loser army had guns and anything you said against...

      If not for loser Chiang Kai Shek and his comrades, Taiwan would never be put in this terrible situation. Taiwan had a chance to be an independent nation when US decided to recognize China in 1979. But Chiang couldn’t loose his face or his legitimacy to rule Taiwan, so he refused the offer. Obviously local Taiwanese people had no say in this since Chiang and his loser army had guns and anything you said against him means disappearing at night for good. So no, Taiwanese people never wanted to be part of China and certainly don’t want to be ruled by a communist party.

  21. David Diamond

    Imagine, one country whining and complaining so much that now apparently it's a "controversy" just because that single country thinks it has claims over Taiwan.

    1. Eskimo Guest

      You mean KMT thinks it has claims over Formosa?

      Your wording is either very ambiguous or very ignorant.

    2. David Diamond

      The fact that I call Taiwan “Taiwan” instead of “Taiwan, China” or “Taiwan, Province of China” should make it very clear what I mean.

  22. George Romey Guest

    So she's going to need to fly hours out of the way to go lecture another country on climate change.

    1. Pete Diamond

      Other countries seem more receptive to science than the climate deniers here.

    2. George Romey Guest

      Yes I fully support multi millionaires that love to lecture on climate change science then go off to their 30 room mansions, 5,000 foot yachts (spewing human waste into the water ways), and private jets. But of course they get away it as evidenced by this comment.

    3. KK13 Diamond

      Do you eat meat, aka beef or pork? Drive a car? Use central AC?
      The biggest polluters are humans, why don't we stop reproducing more than 1-2 babies?

      Lectures and preaching are great when you practice for yourself.

    4. Eskimo Guest

      @KK13

      "why don't we stop reproducing more than 1-2 babies?"

      The answer depends on if you ask Roe or if you ask Wade.

  23. Alpha Golf Member

    But...but... but...

    Why did they only give her the 737 instead of the 75?

    And did her upgrsde clear?

  24. Mantis Guest

    Japan has more of a legitimate claim to Taiwan than China does. The CCP can go pound sand. They are all bluster.

    1. Rob Guest

      Which is to say neither country has a good claim, of course, especially when the current Taiwanese government originates back to Kuomindang which is older than PRC.

    2. Bruce Guest

      A nation isn’t just the political organisation that rules it. You realise that Taiwan used to have a native population that was ousted by the immigrants under the Kuomintang?

    3. Rich Guest

      If by "native" you mean indigenous, that's not correct. Han Chinese started migrating to Taiwan in the 17th century, and the Qing dynasty annexed Taiwan in 1683. A large number of mainlanders came over after the Chinese Civil War, and the ROC government relocated to Taipei, but both the Han population and the indigenous Taiwanese population remained.

    4. Hahaha Guest

      You realize that America used to have a native population that was almost all killed by the immigrants, right?

    5. SoSongblue Guest

      Very shallow American centric take on sino-ethnic history…..for you to compare the two shows ur ignorance and arrogance!

  25. TravelinWilly Diamond

    If it was good for Newtie, it’s good for Nancy, the most powerful and shrewd Speaker of the House ever.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Pete Diamond

Other countries seem more receptive to science than the climate deniers here.

10
BKAloha Guest

I wish China could let Taiwan live in peace and move on. Sometimes life isn't fair and you win some and lose some.

5
Steve Diamond

Good on Pelosi for visiting and not being scared by China, we need more of this leadership. (Granted she's probably just gathering info on her next long/short positions though)

4
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