Pelosi confirms her Asian tour without Taiwan Did she retreat after the threat of China?

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that she will lead a congressional delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss several issues. The statement did not mention a visit to Taiwan.

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed on Sunday that she will tour four Asian countries this week, without any indication of a visit to Taiwan.

In a statement, Pelosi said she will lead a congressional delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss trade issues, recovery plans from the coronavirus, climate change, security and democracy in the region.

The statement did not mention Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Earlier, China warned Washington against a possible visit by the Congresswoman to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

"Under President Biden's strong leadership, America is firmly committed to intelligent and strategic engagement in the region, and recognizes that the freedom and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region is critical to the prosperity of our nation and the world," Pelosi's statement read.

The statement indicated that the Congressional delegation includes several representatives, including Gregory Mix, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mark Takano, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Raja Krishnamurthy, a member of the Permanent Intelligence Committee, and Andy Kim, a member of the Armed Forces and Foreign Affairs Committees.

And on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart, Joe Biden, during a phone call, not to "play with fire" over Taiwan.

"Those who play with fire will perish with it," Jinping told Biden, according to a statement posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website.