Good. The CCP doesn't get to dictate what she does nor what happens in Taiwan. Time to show the CCP that they don't have the power they believe themselves to have.Both Taiwanese and US officials are now saying Pelosi is expected to visit Taiwan during her trip:
Pelosi expected to visit Taiwan, Taiwanese and US officials say
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to visit Taiwan as part of her tour of Asia, according to a senior Taiwanese government official and a US official, despite warnings from Biden administration officials, who are worried about China's response to such a high-profile visit.edition.cnn.com
They tried, and failed, a smaller one in 1949, for what is worth.also regarding China vs. Taiwan, I don't think China has ever done a large-scale amphibious invasion, correct me if I'm wrong. At least nothing to the scale that Taiwan would require. The lack of experience of the Chinese military is a huge unknown. Taiwan hasn't been involved in anything either but being on defense is a whole lot different than planning and executing such an invasion. They are insanely complicated.
My Wechat is abuzz about the possibility of her visiting Taiwan. Most people are treading very carefully about what they say. I have quite a few really open-minded Chinese friends that don't see Taiwan as a part of modern China. I have equally (if not more) a lot of hardcore patriotic friends that are posting some head-shaking takes about China, and its claim of land sovereignty; nine dash line being the most insane (besides Taiwan).
I definitely wouldn't want to be the one on the plane testing thisI still don't see Pelosi going to Taiwan regardless of the reports.
That would have been possible 15 years ago, but not in today's hyper connected world.They're doing the diplomatic dance where they dont announce the trip in the official itenerary but Pelosi goes.
There's been much gnashing of teeth about possible consequences from China over a long-discussed visit by US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. With the visit now reportedly set for Tuesday evening local time, all eyes are turned to Beijing and what President Xi Jinping may do in response.
And while there has been a sense of impending doom in some quarters, there are also predictions that there is more sound than fury to come as a result of the visit, with experts noting the rhetoric coming from the People's Republic is pretty standard fare and does not, in itself, signal a likely dangerous response.
But this visit has been anything but usual, given the leadup. In particular, those concerned about Beijing's reaction point to the PRC's readout of the telephone conversation between Xi and US President Joe Biden, which included vivid language for a diplomatic release: "Those who play with fire [on Taiwan] will perish by it."
That comment was echoed again this week by China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a daily news briefing. "The will of the people cannot be defied, and those who play with fire will perish by it," Zhao said Sunday. "It is believed the US side is fully aware of China's strong and clear message."
It's attention-grabbing stuff, but as Meia Nouwens of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted in an email, China had used virtually the same language and imagery in late May.
But with the final news that Pelosi would actually visit, Nouwens added that the huge amount of publicity means "Beijing will need to respond one way or another. Xi will have to show strength to his domestic audience. I don't think this will escalate into a conflict, but I expect heightened military signaling by the PLA — just enough to show the level of discontent in Beijing about this visit, but not so much that it risks escalating across the conflict threshold."
Pelosi's visit is happening at a sensitive time for Xi. The party leadership is meeting this week at a resort in advance of the party congress due to be held this fall. Xi has made "reunification" with the island state a keystone of his rule. Monday was the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, and it's worth remembering that the party is the supreme authority in China, not the state.
But US officials believe Xi and the Chinese Communist Party leadership are actually worried by what they've seen in Ukraine — the poor performance of the Russian military and weaponry, and the fact that Putin's invasion has increased the cohesion or NATO and tightened relations between Europe and the United States, as well as its democratic allies in Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
"For all those reasons I think the Chinese are a bit unsettled by the Ukraine War, but I still wouldn't underestimate President Xi's determination to assert China's control over Taiwan," said CIA Director William Burns at Aspen. Intelligence analysts believe Putin's experience in Ukraine is probably not going to deter China from using force against Taiwan, but it may affect how and when they decide to act.
"I suspect the lesson China is drawing is that [in a Taiwan invasion scenario] it has to amass overwhelming force, control the information space, shore up its economy against potential Western sanctions, and do everything possible to drive a wedge between the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region," said Burns. "So I think Xi is still determined to ensure that he has the capabilities to undertake such an action against Taiwan if he chooses to move in that direction, and the risks of him actually doing that become higher the further into this decade we travel."
What are you talking about? The idea is to give some diplomatic cover, not to hide the travel. And no they couldn't have hidden it 15 years ago eitherThat would have been possible 15 years ago, but not in today's hyper connected world.
Pretty pissed off? What the fuck are you taking about. Showing a level of concern doesn't equal being pissed off. China has seen how badly it goes when you invade a democratic nation based on Russia's colossal failures in Ukraine. Don't put words in my mouth.What are you talking about? The idea is to give some diplomatic cover, not to hide the travel. And no they couldn't have hidden it 15 years ago either
You seem pretty pissed off this visit is happening based on your posts, but sorry, it's probably going to happen and no China can't escalate beyond pouting.
New military reaction from China this morning. Live-fire drills to be held in Northern Bohai Sea, from 14:00 August 1st to 24:00 August 4th; and in Southern China Sea, from 0:00 August 2 to 24:00 August 6th.
Locations:
These two are nothing more than propaganda theatre aiming at mainlanders. More to come in the next few days.
Pretty pissed off? What the fuck are you taking about. Showing a level of concern doesn't equal being pissed off. China has seen how badly it goes when you invade a democratic nation based on Russia's colossal failures in Ukraine. Don't put words in my mouth.
I think sane people in the regime over there knows any hostile action could spiral out of control and lead to a lot worse.I gotta respect Pelosi going to Taiwan knowing full well some people at the CPC are advocating to shot down her plane, of course that will never happen but still. Now hopefully China's reponse is all bark and no bite so we don't get another crisis with major global ramifications.
Its online netizen claiming military usageWell obviously there are reports that quite a few mainland Chinese flights being cancelled for this particular day. Maybe CCP has informed those airline companies something?
Good- China doesn't get to dictate where the USA sends diplomats or members of Congress.
I've heard their national parks are breathtaking. Would love to visit someday, I have an Aunt who lives in Tokyo so hopefully sooner rather than later.The CCP has bullied Taiwan for decades. They claim to have 3000 long range missiles pointed at Taiwan at all times, just in case they want to claim independence.
Taiwan has had to live with this threat for its entire existence. When I lived there, you'd have a few 'missile raid siren tests' every year. Everyone would have to find shelter as quickly as possible. I remember someone ushering me into their restaurant, and giving me a free lunch.
And that's the thing, Taiwanese people are some of the kindest people you'll ever meet. It's an ace country through and through, and I'd encourage anyone to visit. You won't regret it.
There simply needs to be an age cap or term limits for all positions of government.God she looks so old. Dems need younger people in leadership NOW.
Republicans seem to be much more willing to get fresh blood into leadership positions. It boggles my mind why Democrats don't.There simply needs to be an age cap or term limits for all positions of government.
And they ain't going to do shit
Republicans seem to be much more willing to get fresh blood into leadership positions. It boggles my mind why Democrats don't.
Because one side actually cares about winning, the other just likes to pretend to care.
It's so fucking frustrating.Because one side actually cares about winning, the other just likes to pretend to care.
Ain't it fucked up?Republicans seem to be much more willing to get fresh blood into leadership positions. It boggles my mind why Democrats don't.