Why Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has become controversial.
The intention of Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, to travel to “Taiwan” and stay in the city of Taipei has become the main topic in the international media these days.
Yesterday, Pelosi started her multilateral trip to Asia by arriving in Singapore. Although the official schedule announced by Pelosi’s office does not include a plan to travel to Taiwan, US and Taiwanese officials have told CNN that she will have an overnight stop on the island.
Nancy Pelosi’s possible trip will take place in a situation where the possibility of it has long ago provoked China’s anger and led to strong military warnings from this country.
In the latest development, Reuters reported on Tuesday that several Chinese fighter jets flew near the middle line of the sensitive area of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has also sent planes to the region to monitor the situation.
On Monday, China also issued a strong warning and said that if Pelosi’s trip takes place, the Chinese army will not sit idly by. Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, also said: “If he insists on making this trip, there will be serious consequences.”
In response to the journalists’ question about what serious consequences are meant, Lijian said: “If he dares to go, then wait and see the consequences.” Media reports also indicate that Chinese military ships have been deployed near the middle line (the line separating China and Taiwan).
Yesterday, the Chinese army released a video that showed images of military exercises and readiness of the units. In this video, the command unit of the Chinese army in the eastern sector asked its troops to “maintain their combat formation and be ready for battle and bury all the enemies.”
On the other hand, in America, Pelosi’s trip has been accompanied by warnings from expert circles. International affairs analyst Thomas Friedman wrote in an article in the New York Times today that Pelosi’s trip is a dangerous, irresponsible and reckless act.
