Former President Tsai reunites with Pelosi during U.S. visit

San Francisco, Oct. 6 (CNA) Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) met with former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco on Tuesday, their first meeting since Pelosi's high-profile visit to Taiwan in 2022.

The two met at the San Francisco hotel where Tsai was staying during her visit to the city.

Following the meeting, Pelosi described Tsai in a social media post as a "courageous champion of democracy" and "a dear friend of America."

"The bond between the United States and Taiwan is strong, and Congress' commitment to the Taiwanese people and their freedom remains steadfast," she added.

Tsai also posted about the meeting on social media, recalling their last meeting in Taiwan in 2022, when she presented Pelosi with the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, one of Taiwan's highest decorations, in recognition of Pelosi's contributions to promoting Taiwan-U.S. relations.

"Over the years, regardless of changes in the international situation, Pelosi has consistently been a staunch friend of Taiwan," Tsai wrote.

Tsai said she gave Pelosi a silk scarf designed by Chien Chun-yuan (簡君嫄), an up-and-coming Taiwanese designer.

The scarf's design was inspired by the ocean and coral, Tsai said, adding that she hoped the gift would convey to Pelosi the beauty and creativity of Taiwan as a maritime nation.

Tsai arrived in San Francisco on Monday, local time, to begin a weeklong visit to the United States. She is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote address at Stanford DEFCON's 2026 Technology & National Security Conference on Wednesday.

Pelosi and Tsai last met in Taiwan when the then-speaker visited from Aug. 2-3, 2022, the first such visit by a sitting U.S. House speaker since 1997.

Pelosi's visit prompted China to conduct large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan, heightening cross-strait tensions. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not renounced the use of force to achieve unification.

The current trip is Tsai's first visit to the United States since leaving office in May 2024 after serving two four-year terms as president.