Update(10:22ET): With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi departing for a tour of Asia on Friday – to include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore – The Washington Post’s Josh Rogin says a Taiwan stopover is “expected to happen” during the “early part” of the trip.
Could Pelosi show up in Taipei as soon as Sunday, Monday or Tuesday? Meanwhile, Chinese state media has been busy threatening that “military options” are on the table in response.
Diplomatic sources tell me Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan next week is expected to happen, in the early part of her Asia tour. Pelosi’s office says trip possible, but not confirmed.
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) July 29, 2022
And for one of the latest posts from state-run English language Global Times…
A social media post by the PLA Army which said “Preparing for war” generated over 300,000 thumbs-up in 12 hours, amid high morale among Chinese soldiers ahead of the 95th anniv. of the founding of the #PLA and escalating tensions across #Taiwan Straits. https://t.co/efqunrYp1c
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 29, 2022
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As AntiWar.com’s Dave DeCamp wrote: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is leading a congressional delegation to Asia that is set to depart on Friday, but it’s still not clear if she will make a stop in Taiwan.
Sources told NBC News that the delegation will stop in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. Taiwan is listed on the itinerary as “tentative.”
So far, Pelosi and her advisers have declined to confirm that she is planning to visit Taiwan. But on Wednesday, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) said that Pelosi invited him to join her in Taiwan, signaling that she still plans to go despite the risk of sparking a major crisis across the Taiwan Strait.
McCaul declined the invitation, and it’s not clear who will be part of Pelosi’s delegation. She also invited Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Mark Takano (D-CA), but they haven’t commented on the trip.
Beijing has issued strong warnings over Pelosi’s plans to visit Taiwan, but the potential trip has gained strong bipartisan support from lawmakers in Congress as both Republicans and Democrats are urging her to go.
#Opinion: China’s remarks on countering #Pelosi‘s possible visit to #Taiwan shows highest level of warning. All options, including military ones, are already on the table. It’s crucial to accurately understand China’s remarks and avoid misunderstandings. https://t.co/hsXmXPz8LB
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 28, 2022
Biden administration officials have said China will view the trip as a purposeful provocation but maintain that it’s her decision whether or not to visit the island.
During a Q&A following Thursday’s Biden-Xi phone call, a senior administration official reiterated, “I’d note that, you know, no trip has been announced. And as we’ve said previously, it’s her decision.”
Chinese military analysts have warned that Pelosi visiting Taiwan could spark a conflict between the US and China. Pelosi will be the first house speaker to make the trip since Newt Gingrich did in 1997, but the analysts warn China’s response could be stronger since its military is much stronger today.
Whether Biden keeps his words, the touchstone will be whether he can prevent Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. If Pelosi eventually makes the trip, to China, it will be a joint show between the White House and the Capitol Hill. I believe the PLA air force will definitely take action then https://t.co/2OmPoZlRYu
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) July 28, 2022
Chinese state pundits and media are meanwhile warning that “all options, including military ones” are currently on the table.
