OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Former Chinese army officer and member of the Chinese Communist Party, Hu Xijin, issued a statement threatening to shoot down Nancy Pelosi’s plane if the 82-year-old Democrat attempts to visit Taiwan.
Hu, an editor for China’s state-run Global Times, is widely considered the unofficial mouthpiece for the country. In other words, Hu can say what China’s top officials want to say, but often can’t, according to Daily Wire.
“If US fighter jets escort Pelosi’s plane into Taiwan, it is invasion,” Hu said.
“The PLA has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi’s plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction. If ineffective, then shoot them down,” he said.
Pelosi recently departed for a tour through Asia that includes stops to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Tan Kefei, a Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesman, said, “If the United States goes ahead with this, the Chinese military will never watch and do nothing.”
“It will take strong measures to thwart any external interference and separatist plans for ‘Taiwan independence’ and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“If the U.S. side is bent on going its own way, China will take strong measures to resolutely respond and counteract,” Chinese spokesman Zhao Lijian. “The United States should be held responsible for any serious consequences.”
A visit to Taiwan by Speaker Pelosi would challenge China’s red line, and any challenge to our red line will no doubt be met with resolute countermeasures. pic.twitter.com/KR5c1mZRWK
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) July 29, 2022
More from Daily Wire:
Pelosi has played her cards close to the vest regarding whether she will visit Taiwan, saying that she doesn’t “ever talk about” her travel because it creates security issues for her team.
There has been widespread bipartisan support in Congress for Pelosi to visit Taiwan, even as the Biden administration appears to be cowering in fear. China falsely claims that Taiwan belongs to it.
