China-Taiwan tensions continue as China announces a military exercise on Taiwan. This comes after Pelosi’s declaration of her visit to Taiwan.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided to visit Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. The problem arose with her trip to Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping in a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden has warned Biden by ending up the call ‘not to play with fire.
Pentagon officials have commenced the preparations for Pelosi’s trip, as reported by Politico. The final choice of whether the land in Taipei will be left to Pelosi. The landing will take place on a US military aircraft in Taipei.
Reports on Threat from China
Besides, there are complications in landing the aircraft. As China has announced that the aircraft in which Pelosi travels will be at risk. Furthermore, there are chances that China’s People’s Liberation Army will shoot down the aircraft with air force jets.
The Twitter thread of Chinese state media commentator and Global Times editor Hu Xijin reads that Pelosi will be ‘forcibly dispelled’. The reports come as a threat to Pelosi’s life.
“If US fighter jets escort Pelosi’s plane into Taiwan, it is an invasion. The Chinese military has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi’s plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making the tactical movement of obstruction. If ineffective, then shoot them down,” Xijin tweeted. The tweet was later removed by Twitter claiming that was a violation of Twitter rules.
“In a word, we have ways to raise the risk of Pelosi’s “performance” through the visit, greatly increase the cost of her performance, and boost the price she has to pay. Let Pelosi deeply realize that Taiwan island is not a place where she can run wild, ” wrote Xijing in his editorial on the cost she will pay for “her performance”.
Her 1991 Trip
While revisiting her trip to Beijing in 1991, it is evident that Pelosi angered China when she paid respect to a banner honoring the deceased demonstrators in Tiananmen Square. This comes two years after large-scale protests in Beijing where the Communist Party of China (CPC) crushed protestors.
Then-California representative, Pelosi visited the capital city where she unfurled the banner that said, “To those who died for democracy in China.” The state Police moved in quickly and chased the lawmakers. Later, China’s Foreign Ministry denounced it as a “premeditated farce”.
After the 1991 incident, the Chinese government labeled Pelosi as “full of lies and disinformation”.
China’s Stand on Taiwan
China has always considered conquering self-ruled Taiwan. If they’re successful in it, then China will establish a direct encounter with the US. So, China keeps other countries from recognizing Taiwan as an independent place.
Claiming it to be a “reunification” by the Chinese government, the takeover could lead Beijing to control some of the world’s most important industries. The US has always closely watched the scenario and stands with Taiwan as Russia’s backend China.
The ongoing Ukraine- Russia war has already had an impact on China. But the US department spokesperson said that
“China claims to be neutral, but its behavior makes clear that it is still investing in close ties to Russia.”
Pelosi’s Representation
Serious consequences are underway if Ms. Pelosi goes forward with the visit. Besides being representative of the house, Pelosi is also second in line for the presidency after Vice-President Kamala Harris and would be the most senior US politician to travel to the island since her predecessor Newt Gingrich in 1997.
She will represent the US on her visit to Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan in early August. But her visit to Taiwan is not yet clear.
With the prevailing US-China tensions, even the White House officials wanted her to drop the plan. US President Joe Biden in a statement said that “the military thinks it’s not a good idea”.
Conclusion
As the long history of Pelosi criticizing the Chinese government prevails, the rumored visit to Taiwan has further infuriated China and given the White House a diplomatic headache.
Meanwhile, former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has extended his full support to Pelosi, saying he would accompany her on the trip. He said that he’s banned from entering China and not the “freedom-loving” Taiwan.
