Pelosi – the most senior US politician to visit in 25 years – departed yesterday after meeting leaders in the capital Taipei.
But her visit, as part of a wider Asian tour, sparked fury in Beijing after she ignored its warnings not to travel to the island.
Taiwan is self-ruled – but China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually unite with it.
Accusing the US of violating China’s sovereignty under the guise of so-called democracy, Chinese Foreign Minister WANG YI said those who play with fire will not come to a good end and those who offend China will be punished.
In a statement following the visit, Pelosi said China cannot prevent world leaders or anyone from traveling to Taiwan to pay respect to its flourishing democracy, to highlight its many successes and to reaffirm the US commitment to continued collaboration.
