(AFP) - After the visit outraged Beijing and ignited a diplomatic conflagration, Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House, claimed on Wednesday that her group had been to Taiwan to promote "peace for the area."
She disregarded a series of dire warnings and threats from China, which declared Taiwan to be its territory and threatened to view her visit as a serious transgression.
The most prominent elected US politician to visit Taiwan in the last 25 years is Ms. Pelosi, who is second in line for the president.
Beijing's response was prompt as Ms. Pelosi, who is touring Asia, landed down Tuesday night in a military plane, capping days of frenzied speculation about her itinerary.
The Chinese foreign ministry called US Ambassador Nicholas Burns and warned that Washington "will pay the price."
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