JAKARTA - United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi will visit Taiwan on Tuesday, three sources said, as the United States said it would not be intimidated by China's threats.
Pelosi, who started her Asia trip earlier on Monday in Singapore, will spend Tuesday night in Taiwan, three people were told about the matter.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had no comment on reports of Pelosi's itinerary, but the White House, which would not confirm the trip, said she was entitled to leave.
China's response could include firing missiles near Taiwan, large-scale air or naval activity, or further "false legal claims" such as Beijing's assertion that the Taiwan Strait is not an international waterway, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters at Washington.
"We will not take the bait or engage in sword crackling. At the same time, we will not be intimidated," Kirby said.
"(Pelosi) has the right to visit Taiwan," he told a briefing at the White House.
Amid widespread speculation over whether she will stop in Taiwan, Pelosi's office said on Sunday she was leading a congressional delegation to the region that will include visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. It doesn't mention Taiwan.
One source told Reuters the United States had notified several allies of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Two other sources said Pelosi was scheduled to meet with a small group of activists who have been outspoken about China's human rights record during her stay in Taiwan, possibly on Wednesday.
In this regard, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday it would be a "gross interference in China's internal affairs" if Pelosi visited Taiwan.
Furthermore, Zhao also warned that it would lead to "very serious developments and consequences."
"We would like to tell the United States once again that China is on standby, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) will never remain silent, and China will take a firm response and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zhao said.
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Asked what action the PLA might take, Zhao said: "if he dares to leave, let's wait and see."
China views the visit of US officials to Taiwan as an encouraging signal for the pro-independence camp on the island. Washington has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is bound by US law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
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