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Pelosi visits Taiwan, local media say, despite China’s warnings


US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (2nd L) leaves the Shangri-La Hotel after a reception hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore on August 1, 2022.

Roslan Rahman | AFP | beautiful pictures

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi will visit Taiwan on Tuesday, three people briefed on the matter said, as China warned that its military would never “stand still” if She visited the self-governing island claimed by Beijing.

Pelosi, who began her Asia tour earlier on Monday in Singapore, is expected to spend Tuesday night in Taiwan, the people said.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it had no comment on reports about Pelosi’s travel plans.

Amid widespread speculation about whether she will stop in Taiwan, Pelosi’s office on Sunday said she is leading a congressional delegation to the region that includes visits to Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Japan. It doesn’t mention Taiwan.

A source told Reuters that the United States had informed several allies of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Two other sources said Pelosi had planned to meet with a small group of activists who are outspoken about China’s human rights record during her time in Taiwan, possibly on Wednesday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian earlier said on Monday that it would be “brutal interference in China’s internal affairs” if Pelosi visited Taiwan, warning that it would lead to “very serious developments and consequences.”

“We want to say to the United States once again that China is always standing by, the People’s Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures.” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhao told a regular newspaper. daily meeting.

When asked what measures the PLA could take, Zhao said: “If she dares to go, then let’s wait and see.”

China sees the visits of US officials to Taiwan as an encouraging signal for the pro-independence camp in the island. Washington has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is bound by US law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

The visit by Pelosi, the second in line to the US presidential line of succession and a longtime critic of China, will come amid deteriorating relations between Washington and Beijing. Republican Newt Gingrich was the last House speaker to visit Taiwan in 1997.

Video PLA

A video by the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, showing military exercises and preparations and posted on state media websites on Monday night, calls on the army to ” stand in battle formation, ready to fight on command, bury all enemies.”

The White House dismissed China’s claims as baseless and inappropriate. “It’s not unusual for congressional leaders to come to Taiwan,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby in an interview with CNN early Monday.

“As a nation, we should not be intimidated by such rhetoric or potential actions. This is an important trip for the Speaker and we will do whatever it takes. able to support her.”

Biden-Xi Call

In a phone call last Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden that Washington should adhere to the one-China principle and that “those who play with fire will be destroyed by it.” .

Biden told Xi that US policy towards Taiwan has not changed and that Washington strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. read more

Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington Liu Pengyu took a measured stance to reporters on Friday, a day after Biden spoke to Xi, saying that one of the goals of the dialogue was to de-escalate tensions with Taiwan.

“I think neither China nor the US want a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

On Monday, Taiwanese Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang did not directly respond when asked if Pelosi would visit on Thursday, as local media had speculated.

“We always warmly welcome visits to the country by foreign guests,” he told reporters in Taipei.

Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing, said that if Pelosi visited Taiwan, it would prompt Beijing to issue the strongest retaliatory measures in years, but he did not expect it. that it caused a major military conflict.

“China has unambiguously reiterated its opposition to separatism in Taiwan. The US has reiterated many times its one-China policy unchanged and it is against any kind of conflict. change the status quo on either side of the Taiwan Strait,” he said. .

“Unless by chance, I’m sure neither side will knowingly take military action that would lead to a major security risk.”

Singapore visit

On Monday, Pelosi and her delegation met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, discussing issues including cross-strait relations, the Ukraine war and climate change, Singapore’s foreign ministry said.

“Prime Minister Lee emphasized the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security,” it said.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects China’s claim and says only its people can decide the future of the island.

Last Wednesday, Biden told reporters he thinks the US military believes Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan “is not a good idea right now”.



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