White House: US will not be intimidated by China

The White House said on Monday it expected China in coming days to escalate its response to a potential visit by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and said the United States would not be intimidated.

China’s actions could include firing missiles near Taiwan, large-scale air or naval activities, or further spurious legal claims such as Beijing’s assertion that the Taiwan Strait is not an international waterway, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

“We will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling. At the same time, we will not be intimidated,” he said. Pelosi has the right to visit Taiwan, the White House said, adding that China appeared prepared to respond, possibly with military provocations.