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Image source, EPA
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet Taiwan's leader on Wednesday
By Nicholas Yong
BBC News, Singapore
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has confirmed he will meet Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen in California this week, despite China's warning this could lead to "serious confrontation".
Ms Tsai will stop over in the US on Wednesday, as she returns from a tour of Taiwan's allies in Central America.
A visit to Taiwan last year by the former US speaker was seen as a major provocation by China, which reacted with major drills around the island.
US-China relations are at a low point.
Tensions have spared in the wake of a row over alleged spy balloons earlier this year, and increasing US attempts to cut off China's access to advanced tech.
Mr McCarthy's decision to meet the Taiwanese leader in Los Angeles, away from Washington DC, has been seen as a compromise to underscore support for Taiwan and avoid inflaming tensions with China.
But Beijing last week cautioned that any meeting between Ms Tsai and the third-highest-ranking US official could lead to the US seeing "serious repercussions".
"We urge the US side not to repeat playing with fire on the Taiwan question," said Xu Xueyuan, China's senior envoy to the US last Friday.
The US maintains full diplomatic relations with Beijing but is Taiwan's most important ally and arms supplier.
Image source, EPA
Image caption,Taiwan's leader visited Guatemala and Belize in a visit aimed at shoring up support in the region
Since Ms Tsai was elected in 2016, Beijing has ramped up military, economic and diplomatic pressure on the island.
It has increased investment in Latin America, a key diplomatic battleground between the two sides where Taiwan has a few of its 13 diplomatic allies.
In recent weeks, Honduras followed others in the region by switching loyalties to China.
Taiwan defence officials said President Tsai's trip had seen more than a dozen Chinese aircraft cross the midway mark of the Taiwan Strait on Friday and Saturday, Taiwan says there is a regular pattern of harassment from Chinese planes.
Beijing views Taiwan, a self-governing island of 23 million, as a breakaway province to be taken by force if necessary.
China and Taiwan: The basics
- Why do China and Taiwan have poor relations? China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary
- How is Taiwan governed? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces
- Who recognises Taiwan? Only a few countries recognise Taiwan. Most recognise the Chinese government in Beijing instead. The US has no official ties with Taiwan but does have a law which requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself
English (US)