China warns of ‘strong measures’ if Pelosi visits Chinese Taipei, holds US responsible for consequences

China has warned the United States of "strong measures" over a potential visit by the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), saying Washington would be responsible for any consequences.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian raised the alarm at a regular press briefing on Monday, confirming an earlier report by the Financial Times which said Beijing has issued stern "private" warnings to the United States in reaction to Pelosi's planned trip to the self-ruled island.  

“The Chinese side has made it clear to the US on many occasions that it is firmly opposed to Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. We are fully prepared,” Lijian said.

“If the US goes its own way, China will certainly take firm and forceful measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the United States should be held responsible for any serious consequences,” he added.

On Saturday, the Financial Times cited “six people familiar with Chinese warnings” as saying they were significantly stronger this time compared to Beijing’s previous cautions concerning Washington’s attitude towards the island.

Addressing the issue of the recent threats, the paper alleged that “the private rhetoric suggested a possible military response,“ citing several people familiar with the situation as saying.

According to the Financial Times, Pelosi is expected to visit Chinese Taipei in August.

Chinese envoy to US warns of possible 'military conflict' over Taipei

China’s top envoy to the US has warned of a likely “military conflict” over persistent American efforts to urge officials of Taipei to seek independence from the mainland.

While other US lawmakers and former officials have visited Chinese Taipei in recent months, Pelosi would be the highest-ranking American legislator to visit island territory in 25 years.

The last time a US House speaker paid a visit to Chinese Taipei was in 1997, when Newt Gingrich met the self-ruled Island’s then-President Lee Teng-hui.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has reflected concerns from the nation’s military about Pelosi's planned visit, saying, "I think that the military thinks it's not a good idea right now, but I don't know what the status is."

Chinese Taipei falls under China's sovereignty, and under the "one China" policy, almost all world countries — the US included — recognize that sovereignty. But, in violation of its own stated policy and in an attempt to irritate Beijing, Washington has maintained and recently ramped up diplomatic contact with the self-proclaimed government in Chinese Taipei. Washington is also the island's largest weapon supplier.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing over the issue of Chinese Taipei have intensified in recent months. China has been flying fighter jets close to Chinese Taipei while the US has reportedly had troops deployed in the territory for the past year for training purposes.

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