The United States will not allow China to isolate Taiwan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said at her first news conference after her crisis-ridden visit to the island last week with Beijing.

Pelosi said the purpose of the visit was to reaffirm the “strong relationship” between the United States and Taiwan on the basis of the “status quo”.

The congressman added that the trip also served to show his people’s respect for the economic “success” and “enthusiasm” for U.S. democracy, adding that he was “very proud” of the U.S. Congressional delegation he led during his tour of Asia.

Last week, Pelosi took a trip to the region accompanied by several US lawmakers who took her to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

The Democratic leader said on Wednesday it was “humility” and “respect for listening and learning”.

“I went there with the views suggested by the President (US President Joe Biden) and shared with candor and respect,” Pelosi said.

Taiwan began wartime maneuvers Tuesday to test its defensive capabilities against China, which has been deploying military forces around the island for nearly a week in retaliation for the visit of Pelosi, the top US official who has traveled to the island for 25 years.

Biden admitted on Monday that he was “concerned” about China’s military buildup around Taiwan, but said he did not believe he would go any further.

Throughout the process, the White House tried to distance herself from the visit, emphasizing that the decision was Pelosi’s personal decision.