21 April 2022
Own staff
The commentary was written by journalist Hu Xijin following a visit to Taiwan’s capital by US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and six other US officials. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian strongly condemned the visit, warning that China is “firmly opposed to any form of official exchange between the United States and Taiwan.”

Hu, who stepped down as editor of the People’s Daily at the end of last year after three decades on the job, remains a vocal and influential figure in state media, with nearly 460,000 Twitter followers.

Earlier this month, Hu wrote in the Global Times that Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, would be “the most serious provocation by Washington to China on the Taiwan question since the island’s then regional leader Lee Teng-hui visited the US in 1996.”

“On Twitter, he wrote at the same time that Pelosi was “playing with fire” and that “her visit must have serious consequences.”

Hu asserted that there is a “very high probability” of a “direct military confrontation” occurring “ultimately.” He observed a “crisis-like atmosphere” in Taiwan.

“As the situation in the Taiwan Strait worsens, we must brace ourselves for a military conflict,” Hu wrote.