Upon Pelosi's arrival, Quiet Defiance in Taiwan

The public's nonchalance about the tensions around Nancy Pelosi belies a political reality: many are tired of China's threats and thirsty for American support.

Follow our live coverage of Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — In Washington, there has been an anxious debate over whether President Nancy Pelosi should risk visit. In Beijing, there was anger and threats. In Taiwan, where Ms Pelosi landed on Tuesday evening, the fresh outbreak of tensions was met with mild defiance.

Politicians from Taiwan's two main political parties have offered support for the trip, a sentiment shared by many in the self-governing democracy of more than 23 million people, which China claims as its own. While China released videos of planes and missiles flying to ominous music, a popular meme in Taiwan turned Ms Pelosi into a mighty Taoist goddess. A Taiwanese politician bet a gift of chicken cutlets during her visit.

Used to live in one of the world's most dangerous geopolitical hotspots, the Taiwanese have largely taken the prospect of the visit in stride. This steely nonchalance belies a political reality that has hardened over the past decade: Many Taiwanese have grown weary of China's threats and crave US support.

Mrs. Pelosi's trip is the highest-level visit by a US official in 25 years and a diplomatic, if mostly symbolic, coup for Taiwan. Such displays of international support are rare for Taiwan, which Beijing has consistently worked to isolate from global institutions and diplomatic recognition.

ImageMs. Pelosi in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday. for Taiwan. On Tuesday morning, its military said it would step up its combat readiness ahead of a possible response from China, while the island's stock market fell nearly 2% on geopolitical concerns over the trip. which largely drove down global stocks.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen exercised caution in this difficult political moment. She made no public comment on the trip, likely to avoid escalating an already tense situation. Known as a cautious and pragmatic operator, Ms. Tsai let others speak instead.

Some support came from unexpected corners. Two stalwarts of the generally pro-China Kuomintang party, former chairman Ma Ying-jeou and party chairman Eric Chu, cautiously welcomed the possibility of Ms. Pelosi's visit this weekend.

With local elections looming, politicians from Ms. Tsai's party have spoken more freely. Kolas Yotaka, a former Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker and judicial candidate in Hualien County, said the decision whether or not to make the trip was up to Ms. Pelosi and most Taiwanese would support the visit.

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