[Text/Observer Network Ju Feng]
US Bloomberg quoted a source as saying on the afternoon of July 28th local time that Pelosi will visit Asia on Friday (29th). However, it is not clear whether the visit will be in Taiwan. NBC interviewed other people familiar with the matter later that day and reported that Pelosi "will lead an official congressional delegation to Asia on the 29th, and Taiwan's itinerary is not scheduled."
Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill was asked about Pelosi's visit plan on the 28th, but he still did not comment. Pelosi and his team repeatedly refused to confirm or deny her arrangements for Asia, making excuses for "safety issues".
Bloomberg and NBC report screenshot
Bloomberg learned from another insider that Pelosi will stay in Japan, Indonesia and Singapore.
It is worth mentioning that according to media previously disclosed that Pelosi plans to visit Taiwan in early August, which happens to be the recess of the US Congress. But if Pelosi sets off on the 29th, the day will be the last working day before the one-month Congress recession period in August.
A source told NBC that throughout the week, Pelosi has been hosting meetings on trips to Asia and Taiwan-related issues in her office. The sources said the discussion around potential visits was very sensitive given the possibility of military escalation.
NBC News Network said that as of now, the White House has not made any official position on Pelosi's potential plans, only saying that the decision lies with Pelosi himself. " New York Times " previously disclosed that Biden administration officials are "quietly persuading" Pelosi not to visit Taiwan. Pentagon officials were also worried about the visit. Defense Secretary Austin said in an interview with Brazil on the 27th that he had talked with Pelosi in person and provided a security assessment for his itinerary, but refused to comment on the so-called "military protection" operation.
According to NBC yesterday, Pelosi has invited a small group of U.S. congressmen to visit Taiwan with her, including Gregory Meeks, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Michael McCaul, vice chairman. Pelosi also invited House Veterans Affairs Chairman Mark Takano, who visited Taiwan last year, as well as her "close allies" and Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo, also from the Bay Area of California. McCall and Essu both publicly stated that they could not travel, and the rest of the officials have not responded to the media.
Regarding the possible visit of Pelosi to Taiwan, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the Ministry of National Defense and others have made intensive statements recently. On the 27th, my Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian once again warned: We have repeatedly expressed our solemn position to firmly oppose the Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. If the US insists on its own initiative and challenges China's bottom line, it will inevitably be resolutely countered, and all the consequences caused by this will be borne entirely by the US.
Director of the Ministry of National Defense News Bureau and spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense Wu Qian said on the 28th, "The People's Liberation Army will never tolerate the separatist activities and external forces' interference, and resolutely counter them. Action is the most powerful language. Relevant parties must learn to adapt and reflect, and more importantly, learn to stop the horse."
On the evening of July 28, President Xi Jinping spoke with US President Biden and at the invitation. Xi Jinping stressed that the historical criterion of the Taiwan issue is clear, and the facts and current situations of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China are clear. The three joint communiqués of China and the United States are the political commitment of both sides, and The one-China principle is the political foundation of Sino-US relations. We firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and interference from external forces, and will never leave any space for any form of "Taiwan independence" forces. The Chinese government and the Chinese people’s position on the Taiwan issue is consistent, and resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. Public opinion cannot be violated, and you will burn yourself if you play with fire. I hope the US side can see this clearly. The US should abide by the one-China principle in its words and deeds and implement the three Sino-US joint communiqués.
Biden said that the world today is in a critical period. The cooperation between the United States and China is not only beneficial to the people of both countries, but also to the people of all countries.The US hopes to maintain smooth dialogue with China, enhance mutual understanding, avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, seek cooperation in areas where interests are integrated, and properly manage differences. I would like to reiterate that the United States’ one-China policy will not change and will not change, and the United States does not support Taiwan’s “independence.”
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