Communist China Could Impose No-Fly Zone over Taiwan before Pelosi’s Visit

According to a report on July 22nd, the Biden administration stated Communist China may attempt to impose a no-fly zone over Taiwan, in order to hinder the Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi from visiting Taiwan.

 In the meantime, the Communist-China-owned-media stated that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fighters will “accompany” Pelosi over Taiwan, marking a precedent for Communist China’s military flight to conduct routine over Taiwan.

 According to six sources cited by The Financial Times on July 19th, Pelosi will lead a delegation to visit Taiwan in August. In response to questions about Pelosi’s visit on July 20th, Biden said “Well, I think that the military thinks it’s not a good idea right now.”

 Pelosi declined to confirm or refute allegations that her travel to Taiwan is a “security issue” on July 21st during a weekly news conference. Pelosi claimed that as her flight enters Taiwan’s airspace, American forces concerned that the flight “would get shot down” by Communist China forces.

 A no-fly zone being imposed over Taiwan by the PLAAF would be an unprecedented military escalation. Although Taiwan’s air force is substantially smaller than Communist China, it possesses more than 400 fighter jets, U.S. Patriot missile air defense systems, and domestic Skybow II and Skybow III long-range surface-to-air missiles.

 Imposing a no-fly zone might result in a direct military clash since the PLAAF would have to find a way to smash hundreds of Taiwan fighter jets and air defense systems.