Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register BEIJING, July 31 (Reuters) – China will “resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” an Air Force spokesman said on Sunday, referring to Taiwan, as tensions rise on the self-ruled island. Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke, according to state media, said at a military air show that the Air Force has many types of fighter jets capable of circling “our precious homeland island.” Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, number 3 in the line of presidential succession, signaled on Friday that she is embarking on a trip to Asia. He did not mention Taiwan, but speculation about a visit there has intensified in recent days, fueling tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Beijing claims to have democratically governed Taiwan as a Chinese province. Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday that Washington must adhere to the one-China principle and “those who play with fire will perish from it”. read more Sen said on Sunday: “The air force has the firm will, full confidence and sufficient ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” White House National Security Press Secretary John Kirby said Friday that the United States has seen no evidence of looming Chinese military activity against Taiwan. read more Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reported by Yew Lun Tian. Edited by William Mallard Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
