India (02/08/2022): Hours ahead of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s arrival in Taiwan, China upped the ante and threatened Washington with “very grave” consequences if the high-level visit takes place.
Pelosi is likely to visit Taiwan Tuesday evening, as per reports. She is going to Taiwan for meetings scheduled with top government officials at the self-governed island that China calls its own and vows to forcefully takeover.
In one of the most intense threats to United States by China in recent years, Wang Xiaojian, Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, issued a warning saying Pelosi’s Taiwan visit would constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs and greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
“A visit to Taiwan by Speaker Pelosi would constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, severely undermine China-US relations and lead to a very serious situation and grave consequences,” Wang tweeted.
Adopting a tough stance, the Chinese official said those who play by fire will perish.
“Public opinion cannot be defied. Those who play with fire will perish by it. If the US side insists on making the visit and challenges China’s red line, it will be met with resolute countermeasures. The US must bear all consequences arising thereof,” he added.
