The White House has warned that China may use military force in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s upcoming visit to Taiwan.
According to spokesperson John Kirby, this might involve launching missiles near Taiwan or large-scale air or naval operations.
Mrs. Pelosi arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday as part of her Asia tour.
Taiwanese and US media reported that she planned to visit Taipei on Tuesday night. But no official confirmation has been made.
The visit has created a diplomatic issue for the White House
Taiwan is a self-governing island that is claimed by China as a renegade province. Beijing has threatened Mrs. Pelosi with “severe repercussions” if she travels.
While the United States has a “strong, unofficial connection” with Taiwan. It maintains formal diplomatic relations with China rather than with Taiwan.
Taiwan’s premier, Su Tseng-chang, told reporters on Tuesday that the island “warmly welcomes” any international visitors.
Taiwan, he added, would “make the most acceptable preparations” for any visit.
The visit has caused the White House a diplomatic problem. President Joe Biden has stated that a visit by Pelosi to Taiwan is “not a smart idea right now.”
The Speaker of the House “has the right to go to Taiwan”
Mrs. Pelosi “has the right to visit Taiwan,” according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. And “makes her own judgments,” adding that the White House respects the independence of the US Congress.
Mrs. Pelosi, as House Speaker, is second in line to the presidency behind the vice president.
On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry said it had been in contact with the US about the high-level visit. Expressing hope that Washington would understand the severity and sensitivity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that it has a complete understanding of military activity around the island and is willing to defend itself against any Chinese threats.
Taiwan is firmly supported by the American people and US Congress, regardless of political affiliation
Both the American population and the US Congress support Taiwan strongly and across party lines.
Furthermore, Mrs. Pelosi, a prominent member of the Democratic Party, has long been a strong opponent of the Chinese government and its track record on human rights. She has already spoken with dissidents who want democracy and gone to Tiananmen Square to remember the victims of the 1989 tragedy.
On Sunday, the speaker flew to Singapore to start her Asia tour. Her schedule was made public, but Taiwan was not mentioned. She also made trips to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan.
As a result of her positive COVID-19 test, Mrs. Pelosi had initially intended to travel to Taiwan in April.
She stated earlier this month that it was “essential for us to demonstrate solidarity for Taiwan.”
“Spurious legal assertions”
In the days to come, Mr. Kirby said, China may escalate by making “spurious legal assertions.” Such as that the Taiwan Strait is not an international waterway.
Other indications, according to him, point to Beijing perhaps sending planes in that direction as part of a premeditated intrusion into Taiwan’s airspace.
Mr. Kirby cited the 1997 trip to Taiwan by Republican and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich . As well as earlier this year’s visits to Taiwan by other US politicians.
“There has been no change. There isn’t any drama to discuss. Going to Taiwan as the Speaker of the House has happened before, “Mr. Pelosi is touring Asia on US military aircraft, he continued, adding that.
Ms. Pelosi’s travel now would be viewed as provocative, as per Zhang Jun, China’s ambassador to the UN
However, Ms. Pelosi’s visit now would be perceived as provocative, said to Zhang Jun, China’s UN envoy, and it was not similar to her visit in 1997.
In a speech at the UN, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged China to exercise restraint should Ms. Pelosi visit.
After nuclear non-proliferation discussions in New York, he told reporters, “If the speaker does decide to travel, and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise raise tensions, that would be totally on Beijing.”
“We are expecting for them to act appropriately and not participate in any further escalation in the event she decides to visit,” they should say.
