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US: Nancy Pelosi positive for COVID-19, postpones Asia trip

The consequences would bring a “disruptive impact" on China-US relations

USA-CONGRESS/DEMOCRATS House Speaker Nancy Pelosi | Reuters

US House Speaker Pelosi has tested positive for COVID-19, a day after appearing unmasked at a White House event with President Joe Biden.

He said she had tested negative earlier in the week.

The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided, Hammill said.

Pelosi will quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly, he said.

The 82-year-old Democratic leader's announcement came after China warned of forceful consequences if Pelosi visited Taiwan.

China will respond with "resolute and forceful measures," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. And that the consequences would bring a “disruptive impact" on the foundation of China-US relations, the Global Times reported. Pelosi was to visit Taiwan after a stop in Japan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told CNN that China "resolutely opposes all forms of official contact between the US and Taiwan" and urged Washington to "immediately cancel Speaker Pelosi's plan to visit Taiwan."

"If the US insists on having its own way, China will take firm and strong measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. All possible consequences that arise from this will completely be borne by the US side," he added. It isn't clear whether or not the rescheduled trip includes a stop at Taiwan. 

The Taiwanese defence ministry in the meantime said that military aircraft from China was spotted over the nation's southwest air defence identification zone. Beijing regards Taiwan to be a breakaway province and that its control is returned to the mainland by force if necessary. 

--With PTI inputs

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