Whilst there have been mixed reactions about the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s highly controversial Asia trip to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan starting today, she has on her verified Twitter handle stated that “Our delegation today had the great privilege of meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister @LawrenceWongST in Singapore. We discussed how our nations can continue to work together to advance security, prosperity & opportunity for those on both sides of the Pacific”.
The US House Speaker also stated in her tweet that her delegation had earlier had a stop to greet our U.S. Marine Detachment at @RedWhiteBlueDot adding that “It was our honor to bring the gratitude of the Congress to our patriots in uniform selflessly serving our nation overseas”.
The controversy over Pelosi’s planned visit to Taiwan before it was canceled when she tested positive for Covid-19 in April and rescheduled for August, was unconnected to President Joe Biden’s statement that “the military thinks it’s not a good idea right now” while some of his officials have said that China may go as far as to ground her travel by implementing a no-fly zone over Taiwan, which could possibly bring the US and China into direct conflict.
Though in her latest briefing, Pelosi never mentioned any plans to travel to Taiwan experts have said this is still far from being able to give a sigh of relief as she might also try to make a surprise visit to the island during her Asia trip, a potential danger they said as China will keep high alert to be fully prepared for a military conflict.
Chinese experts have however stated that efforts from relevant parties should continue and be strengthened until the crisis is totally averted after Pelosi finishes her trip to Asia amid China’s powerful military determination, diplomatic efforts, and clear warning signals, as well as persuasion from the White House, the Pentagon, rational US scholars and politicians including former US president Donald Trump, as well as Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
That Pelosi did not directly mention Taiwan in her itinerary means she does not dare directly and publicly challenge China, but the possibility of her visiting Taiwan without any announcement in transfers between any of the four stops in Asia cannot be ruled out, Diao Daming, an associate professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times.
Japan as a close ally of the US is the last stop which makes us wonder why, as this might allow Pelosi to make an extra surprise arrangement out of the announced plan since Japan is geographically close to the island of Taiwan, Diao noted.
Lü Xiang, an expert on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday that the announced plan with no mention of Taiwan could be a result of communication between Pelosi and the White House, the Pentagon, and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Former US President, Donald Trump on Friday criticized Pelosi’s potential trip to Taiwan. Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that “Why is Nancy Pelosi getting involved with China and Taiwan other than to make trouble and more money, possibly involving insider trading and information, for her cheatin’ husband?”
Trump unlike many Republicans who have encouraged and pressured Pelosi to go to the island of Taiwan, also added in his post that “Everything she touches turns to Chaos, Disruption, and ‘Crap'”… and “the China mess is the last thing she should be involved in – She will only make it worse. Crazy Nancy just inserts herself and causes great friction and hatred. She is such a mess!” he stated.
Two influential American scholars on international relations Bonnie Glaser, who’s being hawkish toward China on the Taiwan question, and Zack Cooper also wrote an article published by The New York Times titled “Nancy Pelosi’s Trip to Taiwan Is Too Dangerous” on Thursday. They said “The United States and China are on a collision course in the Taiwan Strait,” and “A single spark could ignite this combustible situation into a crisis that escalates to military conflict. Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan could provide it.”
Lü said from the military who first said Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan “is not a good idea,” to Trump who also sees the danger of her potential plan, it is clear to see that except those Congress members, mainly Republicans and some Democrats, who love to see a messier situation for the world and the US under the leadership of the Biden administration or hijacked by the sick anti-China political correctness among Washington, those who can think independently, even they are from different camps, would all understand how dangerous it would be if Pelosi really goes to the island.
A Beijing-based expert on international relations who asked for anonymity said that if Pelosi really wants to go to Taiwan, she would not let the world know the details as she is clear about the danger and has noticed China’s warning, so she has to be sneaky, else China will still keep the military preparations to stop any surprise move by Pelosi in the coming days up thus giving her no chance to challenge China’s sovereignty,” and that China would only switch off security alert after the US House Speaker finishes her Asia trip and returns to the US the expert said.
According to Lü, Taiwan has become a forbidden zone for Pelosi’s plane, which has been made absolutely clear, so if her plane really has some emergency problems and has to land somewhere during her flight, “the PLA fighter jets in the region will provide her protection and bring her to China’s airports in Sansha city, Hainan Province in the South China Sea or other places in the mainland he said.
He also noted that the US House Speaker would be provided world-class service and assistance, as long as she stays away from the untouchable red-line – landing in Taiwan.”
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has so far been received by Singaporean Top Officials including the Prime Minister, @LeeHsienLong,
