China warns US of ‘serious consequences’ for Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan

The United States could face “serious consequences” if it disagrees with China over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The warning was issued by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a press conference on Tuesday, 2.

The spokeswoman reiterated Beijing’s opposition to Pelosi’s visit to the island state, which the Communist Party claims as part of his territory. “No matter why Pelosi went to Taiwan, it would be a stupid, dangerous and unnecessary gamble,” Hua said. “It is hard to imagine a more reckless and provocative action,” he added.

The spokeswoman declined to comment on whether China could deploy military forces in the face of Pelosi’s trip, noting that the Chinese Ministry of Defense is responsible for answering those questions. “If the US side misjudges or mishandles the situation across the straits, it will have serious consequences for the security, prosperity and order of the Taiwan region and even the world,” Chun Ying said.

Nancy Pelosi left Malaysia on Tuesday and is expected to arrive in Taiwan in the next few hours, raising tensions with China. The plane carrying Pelosi and his delegation left the Malaysian Air Force base after a short layover that included a working lunch with Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaqoub, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Pelosi is on a closely watched Asia tour this week after China made repeated threats about its plans to visit Taiwan.

Pelosi’s fate after passing through Malaysia is not officially known, but Taiwanese media reported that she will arrive on the island on Tuesday night (local time). If confirmed, Pelosi will be the largest US government official to visit Taiwan in more than 25 years.

According to sources from United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times, Taiwan’s three largest national newspapers, Pelosi will spend the night on the island. Sources: Associated Press and Dow Jones Newswires.