Array
The White House said Monday that China was seemingly laying the groundwork to carry out « military provocations » in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s potential visit to Taiwan.
« China appears to be positioning itself to potentially take further steps in the coming days and perhaps over longer time horizons, » White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
He cast the escalating tensions as fueled by China, which the U.S. was « not threatening, » and he insisted that a potential visit from Pelosi would have precedent and would not « change the status quo » regarding China and Taiwan.
Under the « One China » policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as China’s government and does not support an independent Taiwan, considering the matter « unsettled, » though the U.S. is militarily supportive of the self-governing island and maintains informal ties.
« We, and countries around the world, believe escalation serves no one, » Kirby said. « Beijing’s actions could have unintended consequences that only serve to increase tensions. »
« The world should reject any [Chinese] effort to use it to do so, » Kirby said, referring to a possible Pelosi appearance in Taiwan. « We will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling. At the same time, we will not be intimated.
