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US politician Nancy Pelosi with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Photo: SINGAPORE MCI HANDOUT/EPA
US politician Nancy Pelosi has started her tour of Asia in Singapore amid high tensions with China.
Pelosi first met President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
According to the AP news agency, Lee welcomed the strong commitment of the USA in the region.
The premier stressed that stable China-US relations are important for peace and security in the region.
The Chinese leadership is closely monitoring Pelosi's itinerary - a possible visit to Taiwan would be an affront from Beijing's point of view.
While Taiwan is not on Pelosi's official travel itinerary, the Chinese government fears Pelosi may ignore warnings from Beijing and still travel there this week.
The broadcaster CNN reported on Monday, citing government officials from Taiwan and the United States, that Pelosi will do so and also stay overnight on the island.
In doing so, Pelosi would also override security concerns from the Biden government.
The White House fears that the visit could further escalate the conflict with China - possibly with incalculable consequences.
The exact date of Pelosi's visit to Taipei remains unclear, according to CNN.
Beijing warns again
The Chinese Foreign Ministry had previously said that the United States had again been warned of a "very serious situation and consequences" should Pelosi travel to Taiwan.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said a visit to Taiwan would be "blatant interference in China's internal affairs."
"The People's Liberation Army will not stand by and the Chinese side will certainly take vigorous and decisive action to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity." -government«.
China's leadership regards Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and rejects official contacts by its diplomatic partners with the government in Taipei.
However, the autonomously governed island with 23 million inhabitants has long considered itself independent.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine had recently increased fears that China could try to incorporate the democratic island republic by force in a similar way.
The USA, in turn, has committed itself to Taiwan's ability to defend itself - which has so far mainly meant arms deliveries.
According to Pelosi, he wants to underline the commitment of the USA to his allies and friends in the region.
The focus is on "common security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region," she said.
Other stops mentioned on her trip to Asia are Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.
fek/dpa/AP
