In response to rumors that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may visit Taiwan on Friday, China issued its strongest warning yet, stating that they would not rule out taking down the speaker’s plane if it were to be accompanied by American fighter fighters.
“It is invasion if US fighter jets accompany Pelosi’s plane into Taiwan.
The PLA is authorized to shoot warning shots and move strategically to disrupt the US fighter fighters as well as Pelosi’s aircraft.
Hu Xijin, a commentator for the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times, said the following on Twitter: “If ineffectual, then shoot them down.”
China previously sent not-so-subtle warnings against the speaker, who China has reasoned is third in line in the U.S. government, from visiting Taiwan, warning the U.S. against crossing a “red line.”
Zhao Lijian, the foreign minister of China, stated in a briefing on Friday that if Pelosi decides to visit Taiwan, the U.S. must be ready to “carry all repercussions.”
According to National Security Spokesman John Kirby, the Pentagon has not detected any signs of a military threat as of Friday.
We simply have no hard evidence that anything is happening from a Chinese military standpoint,’ Kirby said.
There is no justification for it to escalate into physical altercations or blows.
There is no justification for that because American policy has not changed,’ he continued.
The speaker’s trip to Asia, which also includes stops in Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and South Africa, has not yet indicated if she will travel to the island democracy.
On Friday, Pelosi was asked about a probable trip to Taiwan.
She merely responded, “I don’t discuss about my travel because it’s a security matter.
The speaker continued, “The Congress of the United States will be part of that program.
The President earlier this term talked about a major emphasis on the Asia Pacific.”
However, with the Chinese military keeping an eye on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier’s movements in the South China Sea, tensions have risen over the potential.
On Monday, the Reagan departed Singapore for the South China Sea with its strike group.
to the South China Post, the nuclear-powered battleship was steaming 185 kilometers (115 miles) away from the disputed Fiery Cross Reef on Thursday.
The ships will reach the Taiwan Strait if they keep traveling in the same direction.
Two further ships, a Chinese Type 052D destroyer and a Type 054A frigate, were spotted at a distance of 27 km and 23 km, respectively, according to marine observer Duan Dang, headquartered in Vietnam.
Following operations in the neighbouring Hainan province, the Chinese navy is now conducting military drills off its southern coast near Guangdong.
The Pentagon believed a trip to Taiwan was “not a good idea,” President Biden stated last week.
In answer to a query regarding Pelosi’s rumored travel, Biden stated, “Well, I think that the military thinks that it’s not a smart idea right now.
” But I’m not sure what the situation is.
President Xi Jinping and Vice President Biden spoke on the phone on Thursday during which China allegedly warned the United States sternly about the unconfirmed trip.
Some quotes from the conversation were made public by Chinese official media, including Xi telling Biden: “Those who play with fire will only get burned.
“I hope the American side understands this properly.
The People’s Republic of China’s leader also declared that he vehemently opposes Taiwan independence and outside involvement.
On the other side, according to a read-out of the meeting, Biden stated that the U.S. position on the matter has not changed.
According to the readout, President Biden emphasized that the United States’ position toward Taiwan has not changed and that Washington vehemently rejects any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo or jeopardize peace and stability on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged the question and declined to respond when asked whether this statement represented an increase in hostilities.
They spoke in a straightforward manner.
They have been friends for a while. Four decades or so, roughly, have passed since President Biden and President Xi first met,’ Karine said during her daily briefing on Thursday.
When asked if the call had any effect on reducing tensions, Jean-Pierre insisted that it had been “straight forward,” but he would not elaborate.
Taiwan perceives itself as a self-governing territory, whereas China sees Taiwan as a part of its territory.
The United States has long engaged in a technique known as “strategic ambiguity,” keeping its intentions obscure and only maintaining informal ties with Taiwan.
These unofficial ties have been closer in recent years, and Biden has often committed to Taiwan’s defense before White House officials retract him and claim that the country’s position hasn’t changed.