China warns 'serious measures' over US House Speaker Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan

China, in a staunch warning to United States, said it will take 'strong' action if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dares to visit Taiwan next month. Reacting to a question based on report in Financial Times that claimed a possible visit of US officials to Taipei City, Chinese spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters at a regular briefing on Monday that Beijing has alrey prepared for possible outcome of tour. "We are seriously prepared," Lijian said when asked for comment about media report.

When reporters asked wher Chinese government would react "militarily" or "diplomatically", spokesperson said, "If US side is bent on going its own way, China will take strong measures to resolutely respond and counteract." Furr, he said that Biden ministration will be held responsible for any serious consequences. According to sources of FT, China would punish Taiwan if it allows landing of Pelosi on its soil. Meanwhile, concerning possible attack by Chinese military, Taiwan’s capital staged air raid drills on Monday and its military mobilised for routine defence exercises. 

Watch: Chinese spokesperson briefing media about Pelosi's visit to Taiwan

Taiwan holds drills amid Pelosi visit

Local media reported air raid sirens were sounded in Taipei while military was seen conducting joint air and sea exercises in national capital. Besides, police directed people to shelters when a siren went off shortly after lunchtime. Streets emptied and shops closed. "In recent years, Chinese military planes have frequently harassed Taiwan, and war between Russia and Ukraine broke out in February this year," Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je told reporters, referencing concerns that a similar conflict could break out in East Asia. "All se things make us understand importance of being vigilant in times of peace and we need to be prepared if re is war," he ded. According to AP news agency, US President Joe Biden could speak to his Chinese counterpart by end of this month but it was unlikely that POTUS would raise issue of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. 

Know more about Taiwan and China's ongoing tension

Taiwan h split from China during civil war that brought Mao Zedong's Communist Party to power and established People's Republic of China in 1949. While Communist Party gained control of Chinese mainland in 1949, Kuomintang-ruled government of erstwhile Republic of China set up its government in Taiwan (officially called Republic of China). Although regions have been governed separately for more than seven deces, Communist Party continues to claim sovereignty over Taiwan. Beijing has, on several occasions, stepped up military exercises around self-ruled Taiwan, which it considers its own territory under One China policy. While speaking to Taipei Times in December last year, Taiwan's Minister of National Defence, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said that military tensions with China are at ir worst in more than 40 years. It should be mentioned here that tensions between Taipei and Beijing are escalating at an alarming rate.