The Brief No. 31
01 August 2022
China has threatened "strong and resolute measures" should the Speaker of the US House of Representative Nancy Pelosi visit Taiwan. China’s reaction to Pelosi is reminiscent to how they pressured the South African government not to grant a travel visa to the Dalai Lama in 2014. Consequently, he was prevented from attending Archbishop Tutu’s 80th birthday celebrations.
The warning by China to Pelosi not to visit Taiwan during her Asia tour this week will have serious implications on democracy in general. Pelosi would be the first high ranking US official to visit Taiwan since 1997 if her visit to Taiwan does eventually materializes.
What are the implications of this decision by China to global freedoms of movement for those who disagree with China including dissidents within China, Hong Kong, Tibet, Xingjian, Taiwan and other territories?
Moreover, how is this decision going to impact on China’s client states particularly in Africa when faced with similar decisions as it was the case with Dalai Lama in South Africa?
Afrasid is available for comment and analysis.