Pentagon mulls sending fighter jets to protect Pelosi in Taiwan

Sydney, July 27

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US officials say they have little fear that China would attack Nancy Pelosi’s plane if she flies to Taiwan.

But the US House speaker would be entering one of the world’s hottest spots, where a mishap, misstep or misunderstanding could endanger her safety. So, the Pentagon is developing plans for any contingency.

‘Beijing’s ‘provocations’ risk major incident’

• The US accused China of increased “provocations” against rival claimants in the South China Sea
• It said its “aggressive and irresponsible behaviour” meant it was only a matter of time before a major incident or accident
• Jung Pak, deputy assistant secretary for East Asia at the State Department, told a US think tank there was “a clear and upward trend of PRC provocations against South China Sea claimants and other states lawfully operating in the region,” referring to China. Reuters

They declined to provide details, but said fighter jets, ships, surveillance assets and other military systems would likely be used to provide overlapping rings of protection for her flight to Taiwan and any time on the ground there.

US Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Wednesday said discussion of any specific travel was premature. China considers self-ruling Taiwan its own territory and has raised the prospect of annexing it by force. — AP