Of all of the ways in which World War III could start, very few of us predicted that it would be US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to the far east that sets it off.
In all honesty, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, (and their continued suggestion that there are more invasions to come), seemed like a far more likely trigger for the next global conflict. After all, Putin appears to be aimed directly at the heart of Europe, and leaders to his west have grown tired of the Kremlin’s behavior.
But now, as Pelosi appears hellbent on visiting Taiwan, China is suggesting that such a maneuver could spell trouble for the United States.
After rampant speculation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be visiting Taiwan and meeting with government officials this week, according to reports, and the former editor of a Chinese state-run publication has issued a dire warning.
While certain details remain up in the air, Pelosi is expected to go to Taiwan following her current stop in Singapore. She is reported to have planned meetings with Taiwanese officials and others on Tuesday evening and Wednesday.
“She’s definitely coming,” a person familiar with the situation told the Wall Street Journal. “The only variable is whether she spends the night in Taipei.”
The response from Beijing was swift and stern.
“China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. As for what measures exactly we will take, let’s wait and see if she dares making the visit,” as spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said about the possibility of Pelosi going to Taiwan.
And that wasn’t all:
Chinese media personality Hu Xijin responded to the news with a warning of what could follow.
“Let her go to Taiwan. But pray before departure: wish herself a safe journey and wish herself not be defined by history as a sinner who starts a spiral of escalation process expanding military frictions to a large-scale war in the Taiwan Strait,” the former Global Times chief editor said.
Xijin had previously suggested that China would be well within their rights to shoot down Pelosi’s plane should she attempt to land in Taipei.
