US-Singapore relations

US House Speaker Nancy Patricia Pelosi and Singaporean President Halimah Yacob in a meeting in the city-state on Monday advocated the development of US-Singapore relations.

"The two sides said there is an excellent and longstanding relationship between the US and Singapore," the office said in a statement. They supported the development of the bilateral relationship in new and promising areas, such as cooperation in combating climate change."

Nancy Pelosi also met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, noting the two countries' "robust defence, security and economic cooperation". In addition, the head of government "stressed the importance of a stable US-China relationship for peace in the region.

It is worth noting that there were earlier media reports that Nancy Pelosi was planning to visit Taiwan in August. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, according to the Financial Times, had planned to visit Taiwan back in April. However, because Nancy Patricia Pelosi tested positive for COVID-19, the trip had to be postponed. It was reported in July 2022 that Nancy Pelosi would be able to visit Taiwan as part of an Asian tour in August.

However, Beijing has repeatedly warned Washington that if such a visit to the island were to take place, it would not be without consequences and China would take tough action.

History

Taiwan has been ruled by its own administration since 1949, when remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after being defeated in the Chinese civil war. Since then, Taipei has retained the flag and some other attributes of the old Republic of China that existed on the mainland before the Communists came to power. According to Beijing's official position, supported by most countries, it is one of the provinces of the PRC.