A Chinese state newspaper warned of a potential “destructive strike” against Taiwan if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits the island nation, arguing that “warplanes” should be used as a threat.
Some Japanese and Taiwanese media reported that Pelosi, a California Democrat who is No. 3 in the line of presidential succession, planned to visit Taiwan after a trip to Japan this weekend. (On Thursday, a Pelosi spokesman said she has tested positive for the coronavirus.) Pelosi’s office did not confirm any plans for such a trip, which would be the first by a House speaker since 1997.
China made it clear on Thursday that it would view such a high-profile visit as a provocation.