US Warships And Planes Moved To Near Taiwan, A Signal For US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi To Still Visit Despite China's Warning?

Kapal induk AS USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). (Wikimedia Commons/US Navy MC2/Kaila V. Peters)

JAKARTA - The United States military is moving assets, including aircraft carriers and large aircraft, closer to Taiwan ahead of a visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, although this has not been confirmed.

The military initially opposed the Democratic Party politician's visit, but now appears to be creating a buffer zone for Pelosi's plane, should she decide to make the visit happen.

But, with China declaring that it would "never stay silent" if he visited the island, tensions in East Asia quickly escalated.

This is likely to go against the wishes of the two leaders, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. A reporter for local network TVBS tweeted that Pelosi was expected to arrive in Taiwan on Tuesday evening.

Pelosi and her congressional delegation landed in Singapore before dawn on Monday, according to a flight tracking website that followed the used C-40C military aircraft leaving Washington.

Singapore's foreign ministry issued a statement Monday afternoon saying the delegation met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other top officials.

It said PM Lee welcomed the delegation's commitment to "strong US engagement" in the region and that they "also exchanged views on major international and regional developments, including the war in Ukraine, cross-strait relations and climate change."

"PM Lee highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security," the statement said.

US naval assets in the region include the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), which has returned to the South China Sea after a port visit to Singapore last week, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), which is in the sea. near Okinawa and the amphibious assault ship USS America (CV-66) which was forwarded to Sasebo, Japan.

In the Pacific, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Landing Helicopter Dock USS Essex and 36 other warships and three submarines are in Hawaii, taking part in Exercise Pacific Rim (RIMPAC) which will conclude on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a flight tracking website shows two US Air Force HC-130J Combat King IIs have arrived in Okinawa from Anchorage. They were accompanied by several KC-135 Stratotankers, an aerial refueling aircraft.

"If he visits Taiwan, diplomatic protocol will be very important," said Masahiro Matsumura, a professor of international politics and national security at St. University's School of Law. Andrew in Osaka, Japan.

"It would be provocative if Pelosi visited Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential office. Other options could be the de facto US Embassy in Taipei or parliament," he continued.

This is more of a diplomatic issue than a military one, Matsumura said, casting doubt on whether the Chinese side is militarily ready for a confrontation with the US.

However, Beijing has issued daily warnings about Pelosi's visit. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warned that Pelosi's visit to Taiwan would lead to "very serious" developments and consequences.

"We would like to tell the United States once again that China stands up, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never remain silent. China will take a firm response and strong countermeasures, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he stressed.

Asked what action the PLA might take, Zhao said: "If he dares to leave, let's wait and see."