
High Stakes Sabre Rattling
Chinese Foreign and Defence ministries keep up pressure on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan
Chinese PLA Air Force begin midnight military drills
China on Monday once again warned the United States that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will not sit idly by if U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.
“The will of the people cannot be defied, and those who play with fire will perish by it, it is believed the U.S. side is fully aware of China’s strong and clear message.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the warning at Monday’s daily news briefing.
China is closely following the itinerary of Pelosi, media outlets from the US and Taiwan reported that Pelosi is expected to visit the island shortly.
In celebration of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the PLA Eastern Theater Command on Monday released a video on social media, along with the message “We are fully prepared for any eventuality. Fight upon order, bury every intruder, move toward joint and successful operation!”
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command has recently organized naval aviation force to conduct mock air combat training after midnight, aiming to promote the pilots’ ability to quickly enter combat status for abnormal situations at any time.
The hashtag on the topic has received at least 42.5 million views, with many netizens seeing it as a clear warning to Pelosi, who could make a surprise and provocative trip to China’s Taiwan island.
“A visit to Taiwan by her would constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, wantonly trample on the one-China principle, greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, severely undermine China-U.S. relations, and lead to a very serious situation and grave consequences.” Zhao added.
“China once again warns the U.S. side that China is on high alert, the PLA will never sit idly by, and will surely take resolute and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” The Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao said.
The White House on Monday decried Beijing’s rhetoric over an expected visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, vowing the United States “will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling” and has no interest in increasing tensions with China.
Source Xinhua/AP/TASS
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