Advertisement
Beijing warns of ‘forceful measures’ if Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan
- US House Speaker is expected to arrive in Taipei on Sunday, according to media reports
- Beijing says Washington ‘must be fully responsible for the consequences’ if it goes ahead
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
99+
Reports of a trip to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this weekend have prompted a diplomatic protest from Beijing, which says it will take “resolute and forceful measures” if the visit goes ahead.
Pelosi, a long-time supporter of Taiwan, is expected to arrive in Taipei on Sunday after visiting Japan, according to media reports on Thursday, including by Fuji News Network, citing unidentified sources.
Neither Taiwan’s foreign ministry nor Pelosi’s office have confirmed the reports. But mainland Chinese analysts see the visit as “very likely” given American bipartisan support for Taiwan and Washington’s hardening line on Beijing amid the Ukraine crisis.
Advertisement
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday urged Washington to stick to its one-China policy and said Beijing firmly opposed any form of official exchange between the US and Taiwan.
He said if Pelosi visits Taiwan it will “seriously contravene China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously undermine the political foundation of Sino-US relations, and send a totally wrong message to separatist forces promoting Taiwan independence”.
Zhao said China had “lodged solemn representations” with the US and urged Washington to “immediately cancel” the trip.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x