China could fire missiles in Taiwan Strait over potential Pelosi visit: White House

Taiwan may have to brace for prolonged military provocations from China following a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, warned John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications at the White House on Monday (1 Aug).

Pelosi is expected to visit Taiwan later on Tuesday, CNN quoted senior officials from US and Taiwan as saying. While not confirming her trip, Kirby said at a press conference that China has conducted live-fire exercises even before her visit and it appears to be positioning itself "to potentially take further steps in the coming days or over a longer time." reports Taiwan News.

Possible military provocations could include firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan, operations that break historical norms such as large-scale air entry into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), and air or naval activities that cross the median line, according to Kirby.

The White House official reiterated that "Nothing has changed about the US' one-China policy" and that US actions "broke no new ground." Nevertheless, he stressed Washington will not be intimidated, nor take the bait or engage in saber-rattling.

M. Taylor Fravel, an American scholar and expert on China's foreign and security policies, said in a tweet on Tuesday that China's acts are likely to backfire and result in redoubled efforts, especially in U.S. Congress, "to do even more for Taiwan."