Speaker of the United States House of Representatives arrives in Taiwan

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, arrives in Taipei, Taiwan.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan for the first time in 25 years, prompting China to announce missile tests and military drills encircling the island.

Pelosi greeted Taiwanese officials, including Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, on the tarmac on Tuesday night and posed for photos.

Her congressional delegation will meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday morning and for lunch, according to a statement from the Taiwan leader’s office.

In a statement, Pelosi stated that her visit “in no way contradicts longstanding US policy” and that the US “continues to oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo.”

In response, China condemned the visit and announced that missile tests would begin Tuesday night. Beijing has also announced military drills in various areas surrounding Taiwan’s main island from August 4 to August 7.