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US leader Nancy Pelosi
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JONATHAN ERNST / REUTERS
In the tensions surrounding Taiwan, the chairwoman of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is expected in the democratic island republic on Tuesday, according to information from the parliament in Taipei.
Pelosi began her journey in Singapore on Monday.
Other announced stops are Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.
Beijing had threatened the US with consequences if Pelosi also visited Taiwan.
Several Chinese warplanes were spotted near the border line in the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday morning, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
Several Chinese warships have also been patrolling near the unofficial buffer zone in the strait since Monday.
Both the Chinese warships and the planes touched the center line of the waterway.
The maneuver is unusual and "very provocative".
Taiwan has dispatched planes to monitor the situation.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense had previously increased the combat readiness from Tuesday morning to Thursday noon, the island's official central news agency said.
China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden in a telephone call last Thursday before the visit: "Those who play with fire will perish." Ignore warnings from Beijing, which also hinted at possible military countermeasures.
The US government called on China to moderate.
The government in Beijing should not escalate tensions, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby accused China of making irresponsible statements.
Threats increase the risk of dangerous misunderstandings, he warned.
From the point of view of the Chinese leadership, Taiwan is part of the People's Republic, although it was already governed independently before it was founded in 1949.
The island, which has a population of 23 million, has long considered itself independent.
With reference to its "One China Doctrine," Beijing firmly rejects official contacts from other countries to the government in Taipei.
As part of its one-China policy, the US does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but regards Beijing as China's legitimate representative.
"Nothing has changed in our One China policy," Kirby said.
"There is no reason for Beijing to turn a possible visit, consistent with longstanding US policy, into a crisis or conflict."
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A Taiwanese MP confirmed various press reports in the USA and Taiwan to the German Press Agency (dpa) in Taipei, according to which Pelosi, as part of her trip to Asia, may arrive in Taipei on Tuesday evening local time from Malaysia.
There could be a meeting with President Tsai Ingwen on Wednesday.
According to US media reports, however, the travel plan is in motion, while the Pentagon is monitoring all the steps taken by the Chinese side and is working "around the clock" to ensure the security of number three in the USA, it said.
Reuters reports, citing a person familiar with Pelosi's schedule, that the top politician could meet President Tsai Ingwent on Wednesday.
However, the report also says: »Everything is uncertain.
Citing a Taiwanese parliamentarian, dpa reports that Pelosi is also expected to meet with the Vice President of Parliament, Tsai Chi-chang, and members of the Legislative Council in Taipei.
Parliament leader You Shyi-kun was prevented because he was in quarantine after a trip abroad.
Pelosi's visit would be the highest-ranking visit by a US politician to Taiwan in a quarter century.
Pelosi's former Republican predecessor, Newt Gingrich, last visited Taiwan in 1997.
The British newspaper The Guardian reported on Monday, citing unspecified sources, that Great Britain is also planning to send a high-ranking delegation to Taiwan, despite Chinese threats.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament wants to visit the island republic in November or December.
Initially, no comments were available from the committee or from representatives of Taiwan.
jul/dpa/Reuters
