China warns its military will 'not sit idly by' if Pelosi visits Taiwan

People eat as a television broadcasts news about U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, at a restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan, August 1, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang

BEIJING, Aug 1 (Reuters) - China said on Monday that its military "not sit idly by" if U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.

The latest warning was issued during a Chinese foreign ministry regular briefing. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian also said that because of Pelosi's status as the "No. 3 official of the U.S. government", a visit to Taiwan, which China claims as its own, would "lead to egregious political impact".

Pelosi was set to kick-off a tour of four Asian countries on Monday in Singapore amid intense speculation that she may risk the wrath of Beijing by also visiting self-ruled Taiwan. read more

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Writing by Eduardo Baptista, Martin Pollard in Beijing, editing by Mark Heinrich

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