China has repeatedly warned against Pelosi going to Taiwan, which it claims as its own, and the United States said Monday it would not be deterred by Chinese “rattling” during the visit. In addition to Chinese planes flying near the median line of the sensitive waterway on Tuesday morning, several Chinese warships remained near the unofficial dividing line as of Monday, the source told Reuters. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register The source said both Chinese warships and aircraft “tightened” the median line on Tuesday morning, an unusual move the person described as “very provocative”. The person said the Chinese aircraft repeatedly made maneuvers to briefly “touch” the median line and return to the other side of the strait on Tuesday morning, while Taiwanese aircraft were on standby nearby. Normally aircraft of either side do not cross the median line. In a statement on Tuesday, Taiwan’s defense ministry said it was fully aware of military activities near Taiwan and would send appropriate forces in response to “hostile threats”. China’s defense and foreign ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen, which is across the street from Taiwan and home to a large military presence, residents reported seeing armored vehicles on the move on Tuesday and posted photos online. Chinese social media was abuzz with both fear of a potential conflict and patriotic fervor at the prospect of reunification with Taiwan, and the topic of Pelosi’s visit was the top article on Twitter-like Weibo. A person familiar with Pelosi’s itinerary said most of her scheduled meetings, including with President Tsai Ing-wen, were scheduled for Wednesday and that it was possible her delegation would arrive in Taiwan early Wednesday. “Everything is uncertain,” the person said. Taiwan’s Liberty Times newspaper said Pelosi’s delegation was due to arrive at 10:20 pm (1420 GMT) on Tuesday, without citing sources. Pelosi was visiting Malaysia on Tuesday, having started her Asian tour in Singapore on Monday. Her office said she will also go to South Korea and Japan, but made no mention of a visit to Taiwan. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it did not comment on reports of Pelosi’s travel plans, but the White House – which has not confirmed the trip – said she was allowed to go. Beijing’s responses could include missile launches near Taiwan, large-scale air or naval activities or further “false legal claims,” ​​such as China’s claim that the Taiwan Strait is not an international waterway, he told reporters in Washington. White House national security spokesman John Kirby. Monday. “We will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling. At the same time, we will not be intimidated,” Kirby said.

“TIME INTERVENTION”

Four sources said Pelosi was scheduled to meet with a small group of activists who are outspoken about China’s human rights record on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting is likely to take place at the National Human Rights Museum in New Taipei, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it would be “a wholesale interference in China’s internal affairs” if Pelosi visits Taiwan and warned that “the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will never stand idly by.” Asked what kind of measures the PLA might take, Zhao said: “if it dares to go, then let’s wait and see.” China sees visits by US officials to Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by Beijing, as sending an encouraging message to the island’s pro-independence camp. Washington has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by US law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. A visit by Pelosi, who is the second in line for the US presidency and a long-time critic of China, will come amid worsening relations between Washington and Beijing. The White House dismissed China’s rhetoric as baseless and inappropriate.

“VISITATION RIGHT”

Kirby said nothing about Pelosi’s possible trip changed US policy towards Taiwan and that Beijing was well aware that the division of powers within the US government meant Pelosi would make her own decisions about the visit . “The speaker has the right to visit Taiwan,” he said at the White House briefing. During a phone call last Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Joe Biden that Washington must adhere to the one-China principle and “those who play with fire will perish from it.” Biden told Xi that US policy on Taiwan has not changed and that Washington strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide the island’s future. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reporting by Yimou Lee and Sarah Wu. Written by Tony Munroe. Editing by Stephen Coates & Simon Cameron-Moore Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.