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/CHINA: Beijing Holds Live-Fire Military Drill, Pelosi's Off'l Itinerary Skips Taiwan Visit

US

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi departed for her Asia trip, with no mention of a Taiwan visit on her official itinerary, maintaining ambiguity over a touted plan that has drawn China's ire.

  • According to the press release from her office, Pelosi will visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss "mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region."
  • China's President Xi told his U.S. counterpart Biden last week that "those who play with fire will perish by it" as he noted that Washington should respect the one-China principle.
  • Upping the ante ahead of Pelosi's potential visit to Taiwan, China's military held a live-fire drill on Saturday off the coast of Fujian province opposite Taiwan. Beiijng noted that its navy will conduct more live-fire exercises in the coming days.
  • Rhetoric of political commentators aligned with Beijing turned more combative. Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin tweeted that it would be "OK for the People’s Liberation Army] to shoot down Pelosi’s plane,” while the tabloid ran several pieces (such as: 1, 2, 3, 4) warning against the consequences of a potential visit.

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