Pelosi is on an Asian tour that has so far included Singapore and Malaysia, and Washington has avoided confirming or scheduling a visit to Taipei.
China views US officials’ visits to Taiwan as a sign of encouragement for the island’s pro-independence camp
Washington does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but it is obligated under US law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
The visit of Pelosi, who holds the third highest office in the United States and has long been a critic of China, comes amid deteriorating relations between Washington and Beijing, and the last visit to Taiwan by the US House of Representatives Speaker was from Republican Newt Gingrich in 1997.
military moves
Amidst the tension raised by Pelosi’s possible visit to Taipei, the Chinese military on Tuesday released a video of ground, sea and air exercises ahead of Pelosi’s possible visit to Taiwan.
The video clip released by the Chinese army carried the slogan “Bury all enemies who dare to invade, and move forward towards successive victories.”
Reuters also quoted an informed source that Chinese warplanes flew this morning near the center line of the Taiwan Strait, coinciding with the movement of Chinese warships in the strait.
