Tsai Ing-wen meets with Nancy Pelosi

TRIP TO US: The former president gave the US lawmaker a silk scarf, while Pelosi hailed Tsai as a ‘courageous champion of democracy’ and ‘a dear friend of America’

Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday met with US Representative Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco, their first meeting since Pelosi’s high-profile visit to Taiwan in 2022 as speaker of the US House of Representatives.

The two met at the San Francisco hotel where Tsai was staying during her visit to the city.

After the meeting, Pelosi on social media described Tsai as a “courageous champion of democracy” and “a dear friend of America.”

Former president Tsai Ing-wen, left, and US Representative Nancy Pelosi pose for a photograph in San Francisco on Tuesday.

Photo: Screen grab from Nancy Pelosi’s Facebook page

“The bond between the United States and Taiwan is strong, and Congress’ commitment to the Taiwanese people and their freedom remains steadfast,” she said.

Tsai also posted about the meeting on social media, recalling their meeting in Taiwan in 2022, when she presented Pelosi with the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, one of Taiwan’s highest decorations, in recognition of Pelosi’s contributions to promoting Taiwan-US relations.

“Over the years, regardless of changes in the international situation, Pelosi has consistently been a staunch friend of Taiwan,” Tsai wrote.

Tsai said she gave Pelosi a silk scarf designed by Chien Chun-yuan (簡君嫄).

The scarf’s design was inspired by the ocean and coral, Tsai said, adding that she hoped the gift would convey to Pelosi the beauty and creativity of Taiwan as a maritime nation.

Tsai arrived in San Francisco on Monday to begin a weeklong visit to the US. She was scheduled to deliver the opening keynote address at Stanford University’s DEFCON’s Technology and National Security Conference yesterday.

Pelosi and Tsai last met in Taiwan in 2022 when the then-speaker visited from Aug. 2 to 3, the first such visit by a sitting US House speaker since 1997.

Pelosi’s visit prompted China to conduct large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan, heightening cross-strait tensions.

Tsai’s trip to the US is her first there since leaving office in May 2024 after serving two four-year terms as president.

Separately, a US congressional delegation is in Taiwan for a four-day visit, during which its members are to meet with President William Lai (賴清德) and other senior officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

The all-Democratic delegation is led by US Representative Brendan Boyle, the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, the ministry said in a statement, adding that US representatives Andrea Salinas and Tim Kennedy are the other members.

During their stay from Tuesday to tomorrow, the three lawmakers are to meet with Lai, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and other officials to discuss Taiwan-US relations, economic and trade issues, technology and regional security, the ministry said.

Boyle cosponsored the Taiwan Travel Act, a law encouraging visits between Taiwanese and US officials, as well as a resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation in Interpol, it said.

His work demonstrates his support for closer bilateral ties and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, it said.

The delegation’s visit to Taiwan ahead of Double Ten National Day on Saturday shows its strong support for Taiwan and for the friendship between the two sides, it added.