In Pictures

Photos: Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan

US House speaker is the highest-profile elected US official to visit Taiwan in a quarter of a century.

Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, has visited Taiwan, despite warnings of severe consequences from China which claims the self-ruling island as its own.

Pelosi, second in line to the presidency, is the highest-profile elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years. Beijing has made clear that it regards her presence in Taiwan as a major provocation, setting the region on edge.

China’s military said it was on “high alert” and would “launch a series of targeted military actions in response” to the visit.

Taiwan said the trip displayed “rock solid” support from Washington.

Demonstrators take part in a protest against U.S. — Pro-China demonstrators take part in a protest against US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. [Ann Wang/Reuters]

Demonstrators hold signs during a gathering in support of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi — Pro-Taiwan demonstrators hold signs during a gathering in support of Pelosi's visit. [Ann Wang/Reuters]

Nancy Pelosi — Pelosi poses for a group photo with Taiwanese officials as she arrives at Taipei Songshan Airport. [Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via EPA]

Visiting US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi waves to journalists during her arrival at the Parliament in Taipei, Taiwan. — 'Our delegation's visit to Taiwan honours America's unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan's vibrant democracy,' Pelosi said. [Sam Yeh/AFP]

Pelosi in Taiwan — Pelosi visited the parliament in Taipei and described the island as one of the freest societies in the world. [Ann Wang/Reuters]

Taiwan Asia Pelosi — Tsai criticised the drills as 'unnecessary' and thanked the US congressional delegation for its visit under 'such challenging circumstances'. [Taiwan Presidential Office via AP]

Nancy Pelosi (C) arrives at the Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park in New Taipei City — Nancy Pelosi arrives at the Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park in New Taipei City. [Sam Yeh/AFP]

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi — Nancy Pelosi and other members of the delegation board their plane at Taipei Songshan Airport. [Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via Reuters]

The plane carrying U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi takes off from Taipei Songshan Airport in Taipei, Taiwan August 3, 2022. — The plane carrying US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi takes off from Taipei Songshan Airport. [Ann Wang/Reuters]