Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan award: What is the Order of Propitious Clouds?

The US house speaker was given Taiwan's highest civilian order during her visit to Taiwan, a symbol of America's strong and enduring friendship'

• Pelosi in Taiwan: live

Nancy Pelosi has been awarded Taiwan's highest civilian order during a visit that has sparked escalating military tensions with China.

Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen honoured Pelosi, the US House speaker, with the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, draping the blue sash over the US House Speaker during a meeting broadcast live on Wednesday from the presidential palace.