Pelosi and Keating Clash Over Taiwan Visit

In a heated exchange, former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has criticized former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating for his recent remarks regarding Taiwan, which he referred to as "Chinese real estate." Pelosi, a significant figure in the Democratic Party, vehemently rejected Keating's characterization, asserting that Taiwan is a self-governing democracy and questioning the motivations behind his comments. She emphasized the importance of maintaining security in the Asia-Pacific region and labeled Keating's statement as "stupid." Keating responded by accusing Pelosi of nearly provoking a military confrontation between the US and China during her controversial visit to Taiwan in 2022, which was the first by a US House Speaker in 25 years. He highlighted that President Joe Biden and the Pentagon had warned her about the potential military risks associated with the trip. Keating defended his position by stating that both Australia and the US share an interest in preventing any violent takeover of Taiwan, suggesting that the issue should be resolved through social and political means rather than confrontation. The dispute escalated as Keating criticized the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for not fully representing his views, which include a belief that Taiwan's status should be addressed between China and Taiwan without external interference. He reiterated Australia's long-standing recognition of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China while maintaining a nuanced stance on Taiwan's status. This exchange has drawn attention to the complexities of international relations in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly regarding Taiwan's sovereignty and the differing perspectives of US and Australian leaders.