China warns of 'dangerous' visit from Pelosi

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Nancy Pelosi

Photo: IMAGO/Michael Brochstein / IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

Such a high-ranking visit from the USA is extremely rare in Taiwan: Nancy Pelosi, Chairwoman of the US House of Representatives, is expected in Taipei on Tuesday evening local time.

Local media reported that she could arrive around 10:30 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. BST).

Pelosi could meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday.

Pelosi's planned trip has met with massive resistance from the Chinese leadership.

The US government had been repeatedly warned against a "dangerous" visit by Pelosi to Taiwan.

"If the US continues down this wrong path, we will take vigorous and resolute action to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity," said State Department spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

China's government has made clear its "strong opposition" to Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan, the spokeswoman said.

The "provocations" by the USA led to an escalation of the situation around Taiwan.

The US is responsible and will "pay a price" for undermining China's sovereignty and security interests.

State and party leader Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden in a telephone call last Thursday before Pelosi's visit: "Those who play with fire will perish." The background is that the leadership in Beijing is Taiwan as part of the People's Republic of China and refuses official contacts from other countries to the government in Taipei.

In the face of threats from China, Taiwan's military has increased its combat readiness.

However, the two-stage alarm system is not yet a classification for an “emergency” but continues to be a “normal operational readiness”.

The Chinese armed forces meanwhile reinforced the threat with maneuvers, target practice, military aircraft and warships near Taiwan.

In addition, sea areas were closed.

as/dpa