China sanctioned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday and said it will stop working with the U.S. on climate change, drug enforcement and some military coordination because the high-profile Democrat visited Taiwan over its objections.
The foreign ministry in Beijing said the eight “countermeasures” also include a suspension of cooperation on transnational crimes or repatriating illegal immigrants.
Chinese officials said talks between regional commanders and military maritime consultations would be canceled.
China announced the steps after conducting aggressive military exercises near Taiwan, which it considers to be a breakaway province.
Additionally, the foreign ministry said it would levy unspecific sanctions against Mrs. Pelosi and her “immediate family members” in accordance with Chinese law.
Mrs. Pelosi, of California, visited Taiwanese dignitaries this week and praised the island for serving as a model of democracy in contrast to mainland China.
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She also hailed cooperation on economic matters, particularly in the tech sector, but said America’s “one China” policy would not change.
China wasn’t pleased.
“In disregard of China’s grave concerns and firm opposition, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi insisted on visiting China’s Taiwan region,” the ministry said. “This constitutes a gross interference in China’s internal affairs. It gravely undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously tramples on the one-China principle, and severely threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
President Biden signaled the U.S. military was wary of Mrs. Pelosi’s trip before she went.
However, the White House insisted the speaker was free to travel where she pleased and said there was no reason for China’s saber-rattling.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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