China's Ministry of National Defense, Tan Kefei, warned on Tuesday that the Chinese military will not sit back if US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan. His statement was made in response to a press inquiry regarding the issue. 
  
China demands that the United States keep its promise that it would not support "Taiwan independence," Tan said, adding that if Washington insists on making the visit, the Chinese military will take strong actions to counter any external interference or "Taiwan independence" separatist scheme, and will be determined in safeguarding China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Read more: China promises 'strong measures' if Pelosi visits Taiwan
 
China has repeatedly explained to the United States its firm opposition to Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan, Tan noted. 
 
"If Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan, it would seriously violate the one-China principle and the stipulations in the three China-U.S. joint communiques, seriously harm China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and seriously damage the political foundation of China-U.S. relations," Tan said. 
 
It will undeniably result in extremely serious damage to the ties between the two countries and the two militaries, and would lead to further escalation of the tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the spokesperson said. 

Taiwan conducts drills in "the event of a war"

Yesterday, roads have been emptied and people were ordered to stay indoors in parts of Taiwan, including Taipei, for an air-raid exercise in case of a Chinese "attack."

Sirens for street evacuation drills were sounded at 1:30 PM when towns and cities were shut down across northern Taiwan for 30 minutes.

"It is necessary to make preparations in the event of a war," Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je said in a speech after supervising the Wan An drills - Wan An means 'everlasting peace.'

In Taipei, police ushered cars and other vehicles to move to the side of the road, whereas pedestrians were told to seek shelter. On the other hand, shops and restaurants pulled down their shutters, turning off lights to avoid getting targeted at night.

China accuses US of affecting peace in Taiwan strait

The United States is undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, said Col. Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on July 20.
 
The USS Benfold, a guided missile destroyer, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on July 19. "Frequent provocations and shows by the United States amply demonstrate that the US is the destroyer of peace and stability, as well as the creator of security threats in the Taiwan Strait," Shi said in a statement. 
 
The PLA military monitored the entire route of the USS Benfold through the Taiwan Strait, according to the spokesperson.
 
Shi stated that the forces of the Eastern Theater Command are always on high alert to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Read more: Cold War Parallels: China-Taiwan Tensions