China State Media Threatens to ‘Shoot’ Down Pelosi’s Plane to Taiwan If She Flies With Military Escort

The White House has refused to comment on a threat by a Chinese state media figure who said that the Chinese military should “shoot … down” a plane carrying House speaker Nancy Pelosi if she visited Taiwan with a military escort.

“As it relates to the Speaker’s travels, it’s something that we’re just not going to speak to. Right now that’s a hypothetical,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on July 29.

“We are just not going to speak on her schedule… I’m not going to speak to a hypothetical.”

Jean-Pierre’s comments were made in response to a question as to the White House’s position on recent comments made by Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of the Chinese Communist Party-controlled Global Times media outlet.

Hu suggested that China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), should use force against Pelosi if she visited Taiwan with U.S. military protection.

“If U.S. fighter jets escort Pelosi’s plane into Taiwan, it is invasion,” Hu said in a tweet.

“The PLA has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi’s plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction. If ineffective, then shoot them down.”

Hu’s comments were just the latest in a growing list of bellicose rhetoric emanating from Beijing and its various mouthpieces.

In May, China’s defense secretary threatened to start a war “no matter the cost” to prevent Taiwan’s de facto independence from becoming internationally recognized. Likewise, Chinese communist leader Xi Jinping threatened President Joe Biden on a phone call on Thursday, warning that the United States was “playing with fire” on the Taiwan issue.

The saga comes amid reports that Pelosi was planning a personal visit to Taiwan, which was previously scheduled in April. At that time, Pelosi contracted COVID-19 and canceled the trip. The House

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