The anxiety is peaking in view of today’s possible visit of the speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan, a possibility that has provoked the anger of Beijing.
Taiwan is opening shelters amid fears of a Chinese airstrike, as rising tensions with China and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raise many fears.
The anxiety peaks in view of the possible visit today of the president of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in Taiwan, a possibility that has angered Beijing.
China considers Taiwan its territory and has increased military activity in the air and seas around it. Taiwan is committed to defense and has made strengthening its defense a priority, with regular military and civil defense exercises.
As it conveys the Reuters, the preparations include the creation of shelters, where citizens will be able to protect themselves from Chinese missiles. It is not intended for spaces built specifically for such a case, but underground spaces, such as parking lots, the subway and underground shopping malls.
Taipei has more than 4,600 such shelters that can accommodate about 12 million people, more than four times its population.
Military preparations in China
At the same time, from videos released on social media it appears that China is moving military forces towards its city of Xiamen Fujian Province, across from Taiwan (separated by the Taiwan Strait).
These preparations are made in view of the possible visit Pelosi in Taiwan.
Footage has emerged on #Chinese television showing how Chinese Armed Forces pull military equipment into #Fujian province, close to #Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/5rwqDw4Sq9
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 2, 2022
Chinese Air Force fighter jets flew close to the imaginary line in the middle of the Taiwan Strait, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters, as – according to another source – the speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is expected to visit today. Taipei.
There seems to be a large amount of PLA military equipment in/around the #Fujian region this morning…
— The Intel Crab (@IntelCrab) August 2, 2022
According to the first source, Chinese warships have been near the informal buffer zone in the strait since Monday. Taiwan’s government has deployed military aircraft to the area to monitor the situation, the source added.
It is recalled that the Eastern Command of the Chinese army (PLA) announced last night that its forces are in alarm status and “will engage the enemy on command.”
This video of a train carrying PLA equipment going through central #Xiamen is also making the rounds this morning on Sina Weibo pic.twitter.com/fk1ne3BlQY
— The Intel Crab (@IntelCrab) August 2, 2022
On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of its founding, the PLA posted a short article and video on its WeChat account in which it said its forces will “bury all invaders” and “march to victory” in joint operations.
Video shows video with missile strikes, troops hastily grabbing their weapons and fighter jets taking off.
Xiamen, #Fujian today!
1. China is sending multiple rocket launchers to Fujian
2. The Air traffic in the area has been regulated to enable fighter movement
3. The PLA carried out live fire drills last night#Taiwan #China #Pelosi pic.twitter.com/5Ow6Ob6NlH— Saikiran Kannan (@saikirankannan) August 2, 2022
According to Taiwan’s Liberty Times newspaper, Pelosi is expected on the island, head of an American delegation, at 22:20 (local time – 17:20 Greek time).
The publication does not name the newspaper’s sources.
The official schedule of the Asian tour of the Democratic speaker of the US House of Representatives mentions her visits to Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, without mentioning anything explicitly about her stop in Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei had no comment to make on the possible visit. The White House, which neither confirmed nor denied the trip, said Ms. Pelosi had a “right” to visit the island.
Chinese People’s Liberation Army prepares for Nancy Pelosi’s possible visit to Taiwan. Official PLA video just dropped on Wechat: pic.twitter.com/aJRMmvCrbk
— Carl Zha (@CarlZha) August 1, 2022
View the news feed and get the latest news.
