Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Malaysia , the second leg of her Asian tour and could arrive in Taiwan this evening around 10 pm local time , according to new rumors . As tensions rise over a possible visit between the US and China, they deploy ships around the island. Chinese warplanes were spotted this morning in the midline of the Taiwan Strait, the Reuters news agency reported.
The Taiwanese army today said it was "determined, capable and confident" that it could protect the island from the growing threats from China linked to the visit. "We are meticulously preparing various plans and adequate troops will be sent to respond in line with the emergency response regulations and the threat posed by the enemy," the Taipei Defense Ministry said in a statement.
THE CHINESE REPLY - "The possible visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan would undermine relations between China and the United States": this is what the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun , reiterated. "Apparently such a visit is very dangerous, very provocative , "Zhang observed in a press conference held on the occasion of the Chinese presidency of the UN Security Council." If such a visit occurs, it will also undermine relations between China and the United States ", added the diplomat, for whom Pelosi's possible visit should not be compared to that of 1997, made by the speaker of the House Newt Gingrich." An initial mistake does not make the following one legitimate, "Zhang said.
Furthermore, "the situation in Taiwan is also changing with the support of some outside forces. Taiwan's trend towards independence is further developing. If we do not take appropriate and energetic action to stop it, the situation may even be out of control," he said. continued Zhang.
The call to Washington is to " honor its commitment to the One China principle ," which US President Joe Biden reiterated during a video call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping last week. Zhang concluded by assuring that they are ready to do "everything possible to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity".
THE POSITION OF THE USA - Washington, meanwhile, while not confirming the visit, puts its hands on: "Beijing does not use it as a pretext to raise the level of tension", says the spokesman of the National Security Council, John Kirby. The Asian stock markets fell sharply.
(Unioneonline / vl)