After a quick but contentious visit to Taiwan, US Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already gone.
After meeting with authorities in Taipei, Ms. Pelosi, the most senior US politician to visit in 25 years, left on Wednesday.
However, Beijing was furious with her because she disregarded its travel advisories when she visited the island as part of a larger Asian tour.
Taiwan is a self-governing island, but China views it as a separatist province that will one day reunite with the country.
Wang Yi, the foreign minister of China, accused the US of "violating China's sovereignty under the pretense of so-called democracy," adding that those who play with fire would suffer the consequences of their actions.
China cannot "block international leaders or anybody from visiting to Taiwan to pay homage to its flourishing democracy, to highlight its many triumphs, and to reiterate our commitment to continuous partnership," Ms. Pelosi said in a statement following the visit.
President Joe Biden, a fellow US Democrat, did not support the senior politician's trip, stating that given the current state of bilateral hostilities, it was "not a smart idea right now."
With its Taiwan policy, the US straddles a delicate diplomatic line. It adheres to the "One China" policy, which recognizes only one Chinese government and establishes diplomatic connections with Beijing rather than Taiwan.
On the other hand, it keeps up a "strong unofficial" connection with the island, selling Taiwan defense equipment.
Ms. Pelosi, who now serves as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, is Vice President Kamala Harris's heir apparent.
Taiwan places Xi Jinping squarely in the driver's seat.
In reaction to the visit, China declared that military exercises in the waters about 10 miles (16 km) from Taiwan were "necessary and just."
The drills, which will start on Thursday and extend for five days, will involve "long-range live ammunition firing" and will be conducted in some of the busiest rivers in the world.
Taiwan's territorial seas may be violated during some drills, according to China's defense ministry. Chinese airplanes have recently flown as far as the median line, the unofficial boundary that divides China from Taiwan in the waters between the two countries.
Taiwan is talking with its neighboring countries, Japan and the Philippines, to establish alternate aircraft routes and has instructed ships to find alternate routes to avoid the drills.
The nation was under "deliberately heightened military threats," according to President Tsai Ing-wen.
The foreign ministers of the G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US—released a unified statement in an effort to defuse the situation, warning that China's escalation risked causing regional instability.
"The use of a visit as a cover for provocative military activities in the Taiwan Strait is not justified. International travel by lawmakers from our nations is common and customary "The declaration read.
Pelosi's love-in in Taiwan
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is currently experiencing a full-blown Pelosi love fest.
It is evident in the animated way Taiwan's numerous TV news outlets are covering Nancy Pelosi's visit.
They have been analyzing every aspect of her appearance, including the color of her clothing, the height of her heels (supposedly unusually high for an 82-year-old), and the fact that she "looked like Audrey Hepburn in that photo of her with President John F. Kennedy back in 1961."
On Wednesday, throngs of people waited early outside Taiwan's parliament in an effort to catch a sight of Ms. Pelosi as she emerged.
Almost everyone dismissed concerns about possible retaliation from China.
A 70-year-old guy declared, "China is bluffing." Beijing may respond in the near term, but the United States will punish Beijing if it overreacts.
A 50-year-old housewife told us, "China shouldn't intimidate Taiwan like this." "This trip is typical; if China keeps acting this way, more nations will turn against it."
However, this journey is anything but ordinary for China. Beijing views it as a shocking transgression of diplomatic protocol.
Ms. Pelosi commended Taiwan as "an inspiration to all freedom-loving people" at a meeting with Ms. Tsai.
"America pledged 43 years ago to stick with Taiwan... today our delegation traveled to Taiwan to make it very clear we will not back down from our commitment to Taiwan," she added.
While the visit of the top Democrat has been warmly received in Taiwan, it has caused some controversy in the US.
Some pundits thought the visit would even persuade China to supply Russia with armaments for use in Ukraine, something the country has previously declined to do.
However, she has gained backing from a number of seemingly surprising sources. In a letter supporting the visit, 26 Republican senators signed on.
The letter claimed that "members of the United States Congress, including former Speakers of the House, have been to Taiwan for decades," among its signatories being Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell.
The travel, it continued, was "compatible with the One China policy to which we are committed" in the United States.
Basics about China and Taiwan
Why are ties between China and Taiwan so bad?
Taiwan and China were split apart after a civil war in the 1940s, but Beijing vows that the island will one day be recovered, possibly by force.
Who is in charge in Taiwan?
The island has its own constitution, democratically elected officials, and an armed forces with roughly 300,000 active members.
Who acknowledges Taiwan?
Taiwan is recognized by only a few nations. Instead, Beijing is where most people recognize the Chinese government. Despite not having diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the US is required by law to give the island the tools to defend itself.
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