Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit: China warns US of military action, Taipei gets ready
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On the eve of Pelosi's Taiwan visit China has again cautioned the US it "will
pay the price" if she lands in Taipei even as Taiwan says it is "preparing to
face a war." She is likely to stay overnight and meet President Tsai Ing-wen
on Wednesday.
Taiwan military is put on highest alert till Wednesday as Taipei expects
Pelosi lands by Tuesday night at 10 pm (7:30 pm IST). China
has stepped up patrolling the Straits and its fighters are airborne. There
are war-like preparations in Taiwan. The citizens are being trained how to
respond in case of air raids. Bunkers are ready.
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NEW DELHI, Aug 2: Even as Nancy Pelosi arrived in Malaysia on her second leg
of an Asia tour on Tuesday, China has upped the ante warning that the US "will
pay the price" if she visits Taiwan. On the other hand, Taiwan says it is "preparing
for war" and is making ready air raid shelters. China had earlier warned it
will shoot down Pelosi's plane if it enters Taiwan.
Taiwan military is on highest alert till Wednesday as Taipei expects Pelosi
stops over by Tuesday night at 10 pm (7:30 pm IST) while China has stepped up
patrolling the Straits and its fighters are airborne. There are war-like preparations
in Taiwan. The citizens are being trained how to repond in case of air raids.
Bunkers are ready.
Taiwan has ordered all subways, underground spaces and parking will be used
as bunkers in case of any air raids from China.
She is likely to stay overnight and meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday.
But there is no official confirmation. After Singapore and Malaysia, her itinerary
includes stops in South Korea and Japan also.
The US has not reacted to the Chinese war cry despite there is an escalation
of tension between China nd Taiwan. The US has never categorically said it will
militarily intervene in case of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan but it will provide
arms.
When she kicked off her tour on Sunday heading first to Singapore it was reported
that she had changed the plan dropping the Taiwan leg from her itinerary. There
was no final word. However, it appeared on Tuesday that she will make the trip.
She is expected to visit South Korea and Japan too.
John Kirby, coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security
Council, told reporters on Monday that the Speaker had not confirmed any travel
plans, "and it is for the speaker to do so, and her staff." As per the separation
of powers under the Constitution, the Congress is independent of the Government.
A Speaker has visited Taiwan earlier also: Newt Gingrich went to Taiwan in 1997.
Pelosi is on the Asia tour on her own as Speaker of the US House of Representatives
and the US administration or the foreign office has officially nothing to do
with that although the Secretary of State has stated that in the event of any
Chinese misadventure the US will be respond.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it would be "a gross interference
in China's internal affairs" if Pelosi stop over in Taiwan. He also, like President
Xi when he had a summit with Biden last week, warned of "very serious developments
and consequences." Xi had told Biden the US is playing with fire and will get
burnt. Zhao said he Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly.
In Singapore, Nancy Pelosi met Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on
Monday.
China affirms unification
"The (Asia) trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic
governance in the Indo-Pacific region," Pelosi's office had said. There was
no mention of Taiwan and there is nothing unusual about it.
The Speaker in the US is the second in line of succession to the all- powerful
seat in the White House after the Vice-President.
China affirms that the unification with mainland will be achieved. It claims
now self-ruled Taiwan as its territory while Taiwan has asked for more arms
from the US to defend its independence and democratic rights as a nation being
threatened perpetually by the mainland China. And the US has promised. Since
1949 the island, now of 23 million people, has governed itself after the Chinese
civil war.
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