China’s irate reactions toward the US over its backing for Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own territory, are nothing new.
However, this week, Washington seemed to be concerned about China’s cautions before a prospective crucial trip to Taipei by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
China’s Foreign Ministry promised last Tuesday to take “resolute and powerful measures” if
Pelosi’s travel goes forward in response to revelations of her plans.
Since then, several statements made by US officials have only heightened the atmosphere of concern.
According to US President Joe Biden, a trip to Taiwan by Pelosi is “not a good idea right now,” according to the US military.
Pelosi stated on Thursday that it is crucial to support Taiwan, but she declined to discuss any travel arrangements due to security concerns.
“What the President was implying, in my opinion, was that perhaps the military was concerned about my plane being shot down or something like. I’m not exactly sure, “said Pelosi.
Mike Pompeo, a former US secretary of state, offered to accompany Pelosi on her rumoured trip on Sunday.
“I’ll go with you, Nancy. China has blacklisted me, but Taiwan, which values freedom, has not. Hello there!” Pompeo tweeted something.
Biden administration officials have privately expressed fear that China would try to halt the potential trip by establishing a no-fly zone over Taiwan, a US official said.
Any choice to postpone or opt out of Pelosi’s prospective visit now that it is being discussed publicly runs the risk of being perceived as a capitulation.
Republican Sen. Ben Sasse stated on Monday, “Speaker Pelosi should go to Taiwan and
President Biden should make it very clear to Chairman Xi that there’s not a darn thing the Chinese Communist Party can do about it.” “Stop being weak and stopping yourself,”
Although the Chinese government has not publicly stated what “forceful actions” it intends to take, some Chinese experts believe Beijing’s response may include a military element.
Shi Yinhong, a professor of international affairs at China’s Renmin University, said that China would respond with unprecedented measures, the strongest since the Taiwan Strait crisis.
Following a visit to the US by Taiwan’s president at the time, Lee Teng-hui, the most recent significant crisis occurred in 1995–1996. China launched missiles into the waters around Taiwan after becoming enraged at the visit, and the issue was only resolved after the US sent two aircraft carrier battle groups to the region as a resounding demonstration of support for Taipei.
