- where he supposedly is planning to visit Taiwan, a move which some say could spark World War 3 - on Sunday morning her office confirmed that the House Speaker has begun her anticipated trip to Asia, with her office naming four destinations but making no mention of Taiwan.

The official release of her itinerary comes amid more warnings from Beijing over her possible visit to the island.

Pelosi, the third in line of US presidential succession, is leading a six-member congressional delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, according to a statement released by her office early on Sunday which however skipped any mention of Taiwan, after days of intense speculation about a likely stop there fuelled tensions, with Beijing calling it a "provocation" and warning Washington against "playing with fire".