CCP Spokesman Warns Chinese Military ‘Will Never Sit Idly By’ ahead of Expected Pelosi Trip to Taiwan

As Nancy Pelosi embarked on her Asia trip Monday, the Chinese government reiterated their threat against the speaker of the house and the U.S., saying “China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures” if she were to visit Taiwan.

Pelosi’s office confirmed Sunday that she would be leading a delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. Pelosi has been hesitant to provide details about her trip, and her office did not say whether she would be visiting Taiwan, amid speculation she would visit the island.

Two sources briefed on the matter, however, told Reuters that she is “set to visit Taiwan on Tuesday.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian warned the U.S. for a third time that her visit would be a “gross interference in China’s internal affairs” and that it would lead to “very serious developments and consequences,” according to Reuters.

“We would like to tell the United States one again that China is standing by, the Chinese Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhao added, according to the outlet.

Zhao has previously warned “China will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and that the U.S. “should be held responsible for any serious consequences” if Pelosi went to Taiwan.

A Chinese propagandist called on Friday for Pelosi’s plane to be shot down if she was accompanied by U.S. fighter jets on her trip to Taiwan, should the jets ignore warnings to leave the contested airspace.

“If US fighter jets escort Pelosi’s plane into Taiwan, it is invasion. The PLA has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi’s plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction,” Hu Xijin, a reporter for the Chinese Communist Party-controlled Global Times, said on Twitter.

President Joe Biden told reporters that the military was wary of the planned Taiwan trip, saying “the military thinks it’s not a good idea right now.”

The president told Chinese president Xi Jinping Thursday that the U.S. stands by its “One China Policy,” implying he acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is a part of China.

Pelosi visited Singapore on Monday and met with prime minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss economic ties, climate change, and cross-straight relations.