US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s possible visit to Taiwan prompted threats from China.

Voice of America reports about the tense situation.

If her trip goes ahead, Pelosi will become the highest ranking US official to visit Taiwan since Newt Gingrich went there more than 25 years ago.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said during a briefing that China is ready to stop dialogue at the highest level with the United States in the event of a visit by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Congress to Taiwan.

Beijing announced severe countermeasures in case of violation of the established status quo.

“If Washington dares to cross this red line, it will immediately face strong opposition. The American side will bear responsibility for all possible consequences,” the representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized.

On Thursday, July 28, leaders of the US Joe Biden and China Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation. The President of the PRC pointed, in particular, to China’s principled position on the “Taiwan issue,” saying that the PRC opposes Taiwan independence and the interference of external forces in the situation in any form.

American media, citing their own sources, reported that on July 29, the official delegation of the US Congress led by Nancy Pelosi will start its tour in Asia.

The Speaker’s visit to Taiwan is scheduled for the beginning of the Asian tour.

In face of these statements, the PRC and Taiwan conduct military exercises. On Friday, July 29, the official Weibo social media account of the 80th Army of the People’s Liberation Army of China published an ambiguous message: “Prepare for battle!“.

This week, Taiwan holds an annual military exercise to prepare for a possible Chinese invasion of the island. And the United States sent an aircraft carrier strike group to that region.