China Issues Threats Ahead of Pelosi in Taiwan

Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee in first stop

While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not announce she would visit Taiwan during her Asian tour, it looks very likely she will be touching down Tuesday evening, then meet President Tsai Ing-wen in the morning, and afterwards address parliament.

Naturally China is enraged like a tiger pacing in its cage and spewing threats in speeches and social media through its network of diplomats.

Pelosi expected to meet President Tsai 

Beijing has threatened to fire missiles into the Taiwan Strait, send military planes into Taiwan's air defense zone, or stage large-scale naval or air activities that cross traditional lines.

"We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute response and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Zhao Lijian, a Foreign Ministry spokesman during a media briefing. "As for what measures, if she dares to go, then let's wait and see."

Well... with Pelosi's visit pretty much confirmed, the ball seems to be in Beijing's court. 

With all the bellicose threats, China has metaphorically painted itself into a corner unless it really does follow through on its words.

There are other reasons to consider why Beijing is so upset over Pelosi's possible visit.

Shanghai completely deserted during lockdown

The domestic situation in China with the zero-Covid policy has irritated and frustrated residents all over the country with the extreme lockdowns, non-stop testing, food shortages and pets beaten and killed if they are infected. 

Shutting down cities like Shanghai for 80 days has cause the country's economy to come to a screeching halt, and tens of thousands of people have lost jobs, while the rich and expats are trying to leave the country. 

There's also an alleged bank scam in Henan province, where account holders were protesting in front of the bank to be able to withdraw money since mid April. It has caused a crisis in confidence in state-owned banks and is still not resolved.

So one can imagine why some sabre rattling against Pelosi would make for a nice distraction from domestic woes.

Henan bank scam led to hundreds protesting

But will the average laobaixing care when they are more concerned about not catching Covid, having enough to eat, or be able to get their money?

Daily necessities are more pressing than geopolitical issues.

On the flip side, the Taiwanese don't seem to care much about the verbal threats from the People's Republic either.

They seem used to these kinds of war of words and are just carrying on with their daily lives, again Covid is more of a priority than Pelosi's visit.

On social media people are suggesting what she should do while in Taipei, including tucking into beef noodles and drinking bubble tea...