The visit of Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan will “bear consequences” warns China as the US House Speaker prepares for the visit.
Taiwan: China has never shied away from flexing muscle in the South-China Sea along with Taiwan until the Strait of Malacca. Growing Chinese presence in the East has been a cause of concern for the West, especially the U.S.
China has warned of consequences if the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proceeds with a visit to Taiwan which is the self-governing island democracy, which is self-proclaimed by China as its own territory.
A powerful name in the U.S. Nancy Pelosi is second in line for the presidency and would be the highest-ranking U.S. politician to visit Taiwan since 1997.
China has threatened unspecified “resolute and strong measures” if she goes ahead, which analysts say could cause tensions to spike in the Taiwan Strait, considered a major potential Asian powder keg.
Visit of Nancy Pelosi To Taiwan: Why
A stout critic of Chinese oppression, Nancy has always been a supporter of the emancipation of Taiwan from the clutches of Communist China. Vilifying the pro-democracy killings in 1989, Nancy supported the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, making her an easy target of Chinese criticism.
Taiwan enjoys strong and unified support in Congress. Raising the banner for the same, Pelosi said last week it was “important for us to show support for Taiwan.” Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has defied Beijing’s threats and her administration has favored core democratic values and liberal policies close to Pelosi’s heart, including same-sex marriage and a strong social security net.
Pelosi’s Visit, A Cause of Tension: Why?
Taiwan has been considered by China as a part of its territory which will be annexed by force if and when necessary. The military build-up on the island has also showcased the same. Beijing for the same reason has accused the U.S. of unnecessary meddling.
Moreover, China has also criticized all contacts between Taipei and Washington threatening consequences. China launched military exercises and fired missiles into waters near Taiwan in response to a 1995 visit to the U.S. by Taiwan’s then-President Lee Teng-hui, but its military capabilities have advanced massively since then.
China is known for muscle flexing be it in Taiwan, India, or other parts of the world where the Chinese dominate. Although experts recommend any forceful extermination to be highly unlikely, China’s response remains unpredictable.
Threatening military drills and incursions by ships and planes are considered potential scenarios that would set the entire region on edge.
Sensitive Times:
U.S. President Joe Biden will speak to Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday. The U.S. is keen to keep its highly complex relationship with China on an even keel.
A visit was planned in April but was postponed after Pelosi was down with COVID-19. She has declined to discuss reported plans to travel to Taiwan in the coming weeks that could coincide with China’s celebrations of the Aug. 1 anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, the military wing of the ruling Communist Party.
A more robust Chinese response could also be driven by Xi’s desire to bolster his nationalist credentials ahead of a party congress later this year at which he is expected to seek a third five-year term in office. Xi’s expansion of his powers into every sphere and his hardline zero-COVID response to the domestic epidemic has sowed a degree of resentment and appealing to raw patriotism, particularly over Taiwan, might help him fend off criticism.
Taiwan’s Attitude
Tsai has welcomed all foreign dignitaries, serving or retired, from the U.S., Europe, and Asia, using such visits as a bulwark against China’s refusal to deal with her government and relentless campaign of diplomatic isolation.
Still, her rhetoric on such occasions has generally been relatively low-key, reflecting her own calm demeanor and possibly a desire not to further antagonize China, which remains a crucial economic partner, with around a million Taiwanese residing in mainland China.
The capital Taipei staged a civil defense drill Monday and Tsai on Tuesday attended annual military exercises, although there was no direct connection with tensions over a possible Pelosi visit. While the Taiwanese public strongly rejects China’s demands for unification, the ability of the island’s military to defend against the PLA without U.S. help is highly questionable, so shoring up the armed forces has been a hallmark of Tsai’s term in office.
Speaking Tuesday during the exercises, Defence Ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said the military was monitoring all movements of Chinese warships and aircraft around the island. “At the same time, we have the confidence and ability to ensure the security of our country,” Sun said.
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