Thread by @AFP

Flight tracker website swamped as hundreds of thousands followed Pelosi plane to see if she would land in Taiwan.

There were so many - over 708,000 - that Flightradar24 said it had to limit non-subscribers' access to the site to keep the service working

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VIDEO: A convoy carrying US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi drives through Taipei.

Pelosi landed in Taiwan late Tuesday, defying a string of increasingly stark warnings and threats from China that have sent tensions between the world's two superpowers soaring

#BREAKING 'We come in friendship to Taiwan, peace to the region': Pelosi

#UPDATE "We come in friendship to Taiwan, we come in peace to the region."

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has met with Tsai Chi-chang, the deputy speaker of Taiwan's parliament, during a trip that has enraged Beijing and set off a diplomatic firestorm

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#BREAKING 'Taiwan will not back down' in face of military threats: President Tsai

#BREAKING Japan expresses concern to China over Taiwan Strait drills: govt

#BREAKING 'We will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan': Pelosi

China's bombast shows insecurity over Taiwan: analysts

China's response to Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan reveals deep insecurity about US's shifting stance towards the island, analysts tell @AFP, as well as efforts to distract from economic woes at home

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#BREAKING Chinese military drills breach Taiwan waters, endanger international order: Taipei

Areas of Chinese military exercises.

#AFPGraphics map of Taiwan and its surrounding waters, highlighting the areas of the Chinese military drills from August 4 to 7

"Facing deliberately heightened military threats, Taiwan will not back down. We will... continue to hold the line of defence for democracy."

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen stands defiant against China's threats as she meets US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

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US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says her visit to Taiwan was a show of support for the island.

"Today, our delegation... came to Taiwan to make unequivocally clear we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan and we are proud of our enduring friendship," Pelosi told President Tsai

VIDEO: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is given the Order of Propitious Clouds cordon by Taiwan President Tsang Ing-wen for the recognition of her roles and contributions in promoting the relations between Taiwan and the United States

#BREAKING China vows 'punishment' as Pelosi visits Taiwan

#UPDATE China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi says those who offend Beijing will be punished, state media reports, as Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.

"This is a complete farce. The United States is violating China's sovereignty under the guise of so-called 'democracy'..."

Taiwan strikes a defiant tone as it hosts US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

In retaliation at the visit, a furious China is gearing up for military exercises dangerously close to the island's shores

For the latest details: u.afp.com/wjRg