China threatens “countermeasures” in response to Speaker Pelosi’s visit amid increasing tensions with Taiwan.
Led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a Congressional delegation has been touring the Indo-Pacific and is stopping in Taiwan Tuesday through Wednesday. China has issued threats about the United States visiting Taiwan as China has been definitive in its claims to reunify with Taiwan. Despite these threats, the Pentagon has downgraded the threat to her safety.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has been preparing for a potential invasion by Beijing. Reports of canceled leave for soldiers and the readying of air defense forces have come out from that country.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated, “We would like to tell the U.S. once again that China is standing by, and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will never sit idly by. China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.“
National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said, “The National Security Advisor, the Secretaries of State and Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have also made this very clear to Beijing in a half a dozen recent high-level conversations.“
He continued, “There is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with longstanding U.S. policy into some sort of crisis or conflict, or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait.“
Speak Pelosi stated on Tuesday, “Our Congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant Democracy. Our visit is part of our broader trip to the Indo-Pacific — including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan — focused on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance.”
She added, “Our visit is one of several Congressional delegations to Taiwan – and it in no way contradicts longstanding United States policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, U.S.-China Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances. The United States continues to oppose unilateral efforts to change the status quo.”
Though the Chinese Communist Party has never ruled Taiwanese territory, China has been definitive in its claims about “national reunification.“ The plan to take control of Taiwan is part of the One China policy of the CCP. China’s People’s Liberation Army has been conducting live-fire drills and has planned continued exercises for the rest of the week.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For protection for Speaker Pelosi as she tours the Indo-Pacific and visits Taiwan.
- For U.S. military and diplomatic officials as they work to defuse tensions with China.
- For discernment for the president and his foreign policy advisors as they assess the threats of China toward Taiwan.
Sources: White House, Speaker.gov, Malaysia Department of Information, Politico, New York Times
