Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly considering a trip to Taiwan this weekend after previously postponing a separate rumored trip due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, and Chinese state media has indicated the Chinese Communist Party will view a potential fighter escort for her plane as an act of war and shoot down the aircraft.
Hu Xijin, who is a commentator for the state run Global Times, made the remarks on Twitter today after rumors continued to spread that Pelosi may visit Taiwan as part of her tour of Asia.
The columnist, convinced Pelosi’s aircraft would come with a military escort, warned that China’s People’s Liberation Army – which is loyal to the CCP, not the Chinese government – would “forcibly dispel” the aircraft.
“If US fighter jets escort Pelosi’s plan into Taiwan, it is invasion.” The commentator added that China “has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi’s plane and the US fighter jets.” This means “firing warning shots and making tactical movements of obstruction” and “If ineffective,” it means China should “shoot them down.”
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. If ineffective, then shoot them down. https://t.co/V7LhrXgXoM
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) July 29, 2022
This statement came less than one day after Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned Joe Biden against violating the communist country’s “One China” policy that maintains Taiwan will eventually become subject to Beijing’s authority, reported Town Hall.
Xi reportedly told Biden that “Those who play with fire will only get burnt” regarding the United States’ position on Taiwan.
"Those who play with fire will only get burnt," the Chinese president told Biden during a phone call. "Hope the U.S. side can see this clearly."
China firmly opposes Taiwan independence and the interference of external forces, Xi said.
— Hümeyra Pamuk (@humeyra_pamuk) July 28, 2022
Pelosi was previously rumored to be visiting Taiwan in April, when Hu, again representing Chinese state media, warned that her visit may provoke a “destructive strike” on the the island country.
“While the crisis in Ukraine is still ongoing, the US should be appeasing China in exchange for not increasing support for Russia,” Hu argued in a column published for the Global Times. “In my opinion,” wrote the author, “if the Taiwanese media reports are true, China cannot back down this time, but must adopt appropriate and sufficient measures to respond and draw a clear bottom line for the US and Taiwan island.”
Hu and the Global Times openly celebrated after Pelosi canceled the entire trip to Asia following a diagnosis of COVID-19.
Hu Xijin speaks at the 2021 World Internet Conference hosted by the China News Service (YouTube / Edited)
Foreign policy pundits have noted that China may be looking to Ukraine to gauge the possible American response to an invasion of Taiwan, which is separated from the Chinese mainland by the 110-mile Taiwan Strait.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently spoke before the neoconservative Hudston Institute and described Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan as the three “lighthouses of liberty” that the United States is morally compelled to protect.
Pompeo, who many expect to mount a presidential campaign in 2024, told the audience that “By aiding Ukraine, we undermined the creation of a Russian-Chinese axis bent on exerting military and economic hegemony in Europe, in Asia and in the Middle East.”
The Trump administration broke with previous diplomatic norms by sending high level State Department officials to visit Taiwan three times throughout 45th President Donald Trump’s term.
At the end of Trump’s first term, the Wall Street Journal claimed that Beijing was looking forward to working with Biden, but claimed that the Trump administration’s visits may complicate Biden’s attempts to make inroads with the CCP.
