‘Don’t play with fire’: China WARNS of ‘consequences’ if Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan on her Asia trip
The state-run media outlet of the Chinese government, The Global Times issued strong warnings and threats on Friday, 29 July 2022 regarding a possible visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan during her trip to Asia, which she began this week.
Pelosi's official itinerary only includes confirmed visits to some of the United States' allies in the Asian continent which includes Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. While there are significant speculations and calls for the democrat, who represents California, to visit Taiwan, a stop in the country is only a limited, tentative possibility. "China will take strong measures to resolutely respond and counteract, and it will let the huge risk created by Pelosi have an impact on herself. This is not only a firm and clear attitude, but will certainly be accompanied by a strong and concrete course of action plan" stated the editorial. Earlier this month, President, Joe Biden also visited the Middle East to strengthen the relationship with the country.
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Tensions between the US and China over Taiwan have been high for decades, with concern about a potential conflict ever in the background of the two major nations' routinely fraught relationship. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'one country, two systems model', but the island nation has operated autonomously for decades and has a vibrant democracy, as opposed to China's authoritarian one-party system."If needed, we could also delimit missile test areas and conduct ballistic tests. During the sensitive period, the People's Liberation Army will monitor Pelosi's plane in a timely manner. If it is found flying toward our airspace, the PLA fighter jets could warn, follow, intercept, electronically interfere, force a landing, or drive it back. In this process, any consequences may occur, and the responsibility rests entirely with the US," the editorial added.
Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a warning to President Joe Biden regarding Taiwan on a phone call on Thursday. "Public opinion shall not be violated, and if you play with fire you get burned. I hope the US side can see this clearly," Xi said. In this process, any consequences may occur, and the responsibility rests entirely with the US" stated the article. The article also added, "Today, China's will and ability in this regard are without a doubt. US President Joe Biden has reiterated that he adheres to the one-China policy and does not support 'Taiwan independence.' "What kind of behavior is a visit to Taiwan island by Washington's 'No.3 figure?' If you come to offend me, I will make you bear the consequences. This is not China threatening or intimidating anyone, but safeguarding and defending its own core interests." read the article. The article concluded by stating: “Some people may say, isn’t this a move to start a war with the US? In this regard, people can refer to China’s principles and positions on the trade war: don’t want a trade war, don’t be afraid of one, and have to fight one if necessary."