Reportedly, Taiwan has begun the process of calling back all of its armed forces that are currently on leave and has ordered them to prepare themselves for probable war in the wake of extreme threats being issued by China in the run-up to the arrival of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi onto the island.
“We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” stated Chinese propagandist Zhao Lijian as part of a press conference held this past week, as reported by CBS News.
“As for what measures, if she dares to go, then let’s wait and see,” stated Zhao, as reported by CNN.
In response, Taiwan has officially called for the cancellation of the leave of its soldiers and ordered them to “immediately prepare for war” while China carries out military drills throughout the area.
Officials for both the U.S. and Taiwan have stated to CNN that Pelosi was slated to land on the island on Tuesday as part of her trip throughout Asia despite Democrat President Joe Biden’s odd warning to her to not make the trip.
Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, issued the claim that the administration did not know what Pelosi would actually do and that since Congress is itself an independent and equal branch of the U.S. government, “the decision is entirely the Speaker’s.”
“And so if the speaker does decide to visit and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing,” stated Blinken. “We are looking for them, in the event she decides to visit, to act responsibly and not to engage in any escalation going forward.”
John Kirby, the National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, stated this past Monday that the administration would stand in support of Pelosi if she chose to go to Taiwan.
“We want to make sure that when she travels overseas, she can do so safely and securely and we’re going to make sure of that. There is no reason for the Chinese rhetoric. There is no reason for any actions to be taken. It is not uncommon for congressional leaders to travel to Taiwan,” stated Kirby. “We shouldn’t be as a country — we shouldn’t be intimidated by that rhetoric or those potential actions. This is an important trip for the speaker to be on and we’re going to do whatever we can to support her.”
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