China-Taiwan: Tensions spike ahead of Pelosi's expected visit

Taiwan is bracing for a potential show of force from China as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was expected to arrive on the island late Tuesday.

Her visit - which is not backed by the White House - would be the first by such a senior US official in decades.

Pelosi is the third-highest ranking official in the US government and a long-time critic of Beijing.

China has repeatedly warned against the visit and on Tuesday said the US would "pay the price".

Taiwan is a self-ruled island, but claimed by China, which sees it as a breakaway province. read more