US looking to China not to escalate tensions in event of Pelosi visit to Taiwan — Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sits on the sidelines prior to his address to the United Nations General Assembly during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference in New York City, New York, U.S., August 1, 2022. REUTERS/David ‘Dee’ Delgado

UNITED NATIONS — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that a potential visit to Taiwan by House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi would be entirely her decision, but called on China not to escalate tensions in the event of a visit.

“If the speaker does decide to visit and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing,” Blinken said after nuclear nonproliferation talks at the United Nations.

“We are looking for them (China) – in the event she decides to visit – to act responsibly and not to engage in any escalation going forward.”

RELATED STORY:

Pelosi begins Asia tour as China warns against Taiwan visit