Pelosi to Defy China by Visiting Taiwan?

by Stephen Lendman

Ignoring China's stern warning against visiting Taiwan, chances are great that Pelosi will recklessly go where she doesn't belong as things now stand.

Once again on Friday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Zhou Lijian, stressed that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory."

"(T)he Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair."

"China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges by countries having diplomatic relations with the Taiwan region."

"China's opposition to official exchanges between the US and Taiwan is clear and consistent." 

"As President Xi (Jinping) stressed, the three Sino-US joint communiques embody the political commitments made by the two sides, and the one-China principle is the political foundation for China-US relations."

"China firmly opposes separatist moves toward Taiwan independence…interference by external forces, and never allows any room for (this move in any) form."

The one-China principle is inviolable.

"If the US side challenges Beijing's red line, it will be met with resolute countermeasures."

"The US must bear all consequences arising thereof."

In a now removed tweet by former Global Times editor-in-chief, Hu Xijin, he stressed the following:

"If US fighter jets escort Pelosi's plane into Taiwan, (it's an) invasion." 

In response, China "has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi's plane and US fighter jets, including (by) firing warning shots and making tactical movements of obstruction." 

"If ineffective, then shoot them down."

Ineffectively trying to calm tensions, White House national security counsel spokesman, John Kirby, said the following:

"There's no reason for (things) to come to blows, to come to increased physical tension (sic)."

"There's no reason for that because there's been no change in American policy with respect to One China (sic)."

In January 2021, days before the fake Biden took office, Trump regime Secretary of State, Pompeo, blustered the following:

"…I am announcing that I am lifting all (US) self-imposed restrictions" on Washington's one China policy (sic).

Henceforth, US regimes "should consider all 'contact guidelines' regarding relations with Taiwan previously issued by the Department of State under authorities delegated to the Secretary of State to be null and void (sic)."

"Additionally, any and all sections of the Foreign Affairs Manual or Foreign Affairs Handbook that convey authorities or otherwise purport to regulate executive branch engagement with Taiwan via any entity other than the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) are also hereby voided (sic)."

"Today's" unilateral breach of what stood the test of time since 1979 is replaced by virtual recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state.

"(T)he US-Taiwan relationship need not, and should not, be shackled by self-imposed restrictions of our permanent bureaucracy (sic)."

Taiwan is not "part of China (sic)."

At the time, China's Foreign Ministry slammed his remarks, saying:

"Pompeo makes 'lying diplomacy' a byword for US foreign policy, when this US (regime) dented (Washington's) image and reputation as well its relations with other countries more than ever."

"Pompeo unscrupulously suppressed China, and put on stage his "final madness" as his term is coming to an end, and frantically sabotage bilateral relations." 

"China's position on the issue of US-Taiwan exchanges is clear and consistent." 

"The actions of the US side seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. China firmly opposes it."

"There is only one China in the world." 

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China." 

"This is a fact recognized by the international community." 

During his tenure, Trump was notably tough on China.

Falsely calling Beijing a "threat to the world (sic)," his war secretary, Esper, said China tops Pentagon's adversaries list, followed by Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Yet on Friday, Trump said the following:

"(T)he China mess is the last thing (Pelosi) should be involved in."

"She will only make it worse." 

"Everything she touches turns to chaos, disruption, and crap."

On Friday at the Institute of Taiwan Studies (ITS), various experts warned that China will definitely take comprehensive countermeasures if Pelosi visits Taipei.

ITS director, Wu Yongping, stressed that China always made it very clear."

Yet "some countries and forces are making a serious mistake in downplaying this issue."

"The consequence of challenging the will has been made clear by Xi in his call with Biden that those who play with fire will perish by it."

Zhang Guanhua, ITS deputy director, said escalated Sino/US tensions will adversely affect regional peace, stability and Asia-Pacific development.

"The visit will be a blatant provocation to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

It'll "clearly reveal who is the destroyer of cross-Straits relations and peace in the Asia-Pacific region."

And this from an ITS researcher:

"If the visit is made, China is expected to take comprehensive countermeasures involving military, political, economic and other fields." 

"These are costs that the US cannot afford."

"Escalating the so-called vicious circle will lead to serious military conflicts, which is severely harmful to peace." 

ITS researcher, Leng Bo, added:

Pelosi's visit will seriously undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

"The Chinese military will not sit idly by, and China's countermeasures will definitely include military means, and the level of military means will be higher than in recent years."

By phone with the fake Biden on July 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly said the following:

"(T)hose who play with fire will definitely set themselves on fire."

"The US must see this point clearly and abide by the one-China principle with its words and deeds."

According to the South China Morning Post:

"A Weibo page (on China's social media) with the hashtag if Pelosi goes to Taiwan (said that the) Chinese military would not just sit and watch' was read 830 million times."

"Another page for a post with a hashtag that China would take resolute measures if Pelosi visited Taiwan was read over 100 million times."

And this from The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference:

Anonymous sources cited said if Pelosi's plane enters Taiwan airspace without Beijing's permission, China may respond to her trespassing intrusion with "the fiercest countermeasures."

China hasn't suggested that it'll respond to Pelosi militarily.

On Saturday, it's conducting live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait.

While ongoing, entry into its waters is prohibited.

On Friday, Beijing said "(d)on't say we didn't warn you" — pointing fingers at hegemon USA and Pelosi specifically.

China's Global Times said the phrase is Beijing's "most severe warning, previously issued before shots were fired in military operations."

According to Chinese naval expert, Wang Yunfei:

China can declare air and maritime areas around Taiwan off-limits as restricted zones to prohibit entry by Pelosi's plane.

The PLA can deploy warplanes to accompany her aircraft, as well as overfly Taiwanese airspace.

While she's in Taiwan, the PLA can conduct nearby military exercises.

The way to defuse things won't likely be taken — calling off Pelosi's provocative visit in a part of the world where she doesn't belong.

Underestimating China's resolve to defend its core issues would be a major US blunder.

While congressional members are free to travel where they're welcome without official US permission, the White House can surely exert its authority to assure that their itinerary doesn't undermine relations with other nations.