Chess pieces appear in front of the flags of China and Taiwan displayed in this illustration taken on January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Rovich/Illustration
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BEIJING (Reuters) – China will “resolutely protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity”, an air force spokesman said on Sunday, referring to Taiwan, as tensions mount over the autonomous island.
State media quoted Air Force spokesman Shin Jink as saying at a military air show that the air force has many types of combat aircraft capable of flying over “the precious island of our motherland”.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, No. 3 in the presidential succession line, indicated Friday that she is on her way to Asia. It did not mention Taiwan, but speculation about a visit there has intensified in recent days, raising tensions outside the Taiwan Strait.
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Beijing claims that Taiwan was a democratically governed Taiwan as a Chinese province.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday that Washington should adhere to the one-China principle and “those who play with fire will die because of it.” Read more
“The Air Force has the firm will, full confidence and sufficient capacity to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Shen said on Sunday.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Friday that the United States has not seen any evidence of looming Chinese military activity against Taiwan. Read more
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(Reporting by Yu Lun Tian) Editing by William Mallard
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