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Nancy Pelosi to visit Taiwan on Tuesday despite China warnings
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi was set to visit Taiwan on Tuesday (August 2), two people briefed on the matter said, as China warned that its military would never “sit idly by” if she visited the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.
Pelosi, who began an Asia trip earlier on Monday (August 1) in Singapore, was due to spend Tuesday night in Taiwan, the people said.
One source told Reuters that the United States had informed some allies about Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Another source said Pelosi was scheduled to meet some activists who are outspoken on China rights issues during her stay in Taiwan.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said earlier on Monday that it would be “a gross interference in China’s internal affairs” if Pelosi visits Taiwan, and warned that it would lead to “very serious developments and consequences.”
Zhao told a regular daily briefing: “We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Asked what kind of measures the PLA might take, Zhao said: “if she dares to go, then let us wait and see.”
US Nancy Pelosi begins closely-watched Asia tour in Singapore
China views visits by U.S. officials to Taiwan as sending an encouraging signal to the pro-independence camp on the island.
Washington does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is bound by U.S. law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
A visit by Pelosi, who is second in the line of succession to the U.S. presidency and a long-time critic of China, would come amid worsening ties between Washington and Beijing. Republican Newt Gingrich was the last House speaker to visit Taiwan, in 1997.
levantnews-cnbc
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