⚠️ There are reports in Japanese media that 8 US fighter jets and 5 refuelling planes took off from the US military base in Okinawa, Japan at 8pm local time. Reports say they may be going to provide "perimeter security" for Pelosi.

Half an hour before Nancy Pelosi's arrival in Taiwan, an official statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has just been published:

"Pelosi's visit to Taiwan will be a gross interference in China's internal affairs, and will lead to very serious events and serious consequences. The Chinese side once again warns the American side that the Chinese military is on high alert, the Chinese military will by no means remain an indifferent observer, and it will definitely take decisive and effective countermeasures for defense on sovereignty and territorial integrity"

LIVE: House speaker Nancy Pelosi expected to arrive in Taipei, in approximately 40mins.

https://twitter.com/reuters/status/1554461744164007936?s=21&t=ZA1Lvx8TTiYO5Hc4G8TVUQ

Taiwanese and Japanese media reporting 8x F-15 fighters and 5x tanker aircraft just took off from Okinawa. Only 385nm from Taiwan

*TAIWAN CAA PROBES BOMB THREATS RECEIVED AT SONGSHAN AIRPORT - BBG (2mins ago)

I’m hearing similar anecdotal evidence re China’s position on Taiwan/Pelosi…

*TAIWAN AIR FORCE FIGHTERS ESCORTING PELOSI FLIGHT; TO LAND IN 30 MINS - BBG

Crazy Nancy is Late ⏰

PRC coastline province, Fujian, warming up the missile shots tonight, welcoming Pelosi's landing.

And so it begins…

*CHINA CLOSES AIRSPACE ABOVE TAIWAN STRAIGHT TO ALL CIVILLIAN AIRCRAFT - BBG

This is a significant moment.

*CHINESE WARPLANES CONTINUE THEIR FLIGHTS IN THE FUJIAN PROVINCE CLOSEST TO TAIWAN - LOCAL SOURCE

Chinese J-10 fighter jets fly near Taiwan

*Chinese J-16 fighter jets have appeared at the southern end of the Bashi Strait, Taiwanese media report.

Let’s go Nancy…

More escalation from China…

*CIVIL DEFENSE WARNING SIRENS TURNED ON IN CHINA - BBG

*US MILITARY AIRCRAFT HAS STARTED ITS DESCENT INTO TAIPEI.

Meanwhile Kansas sets the stage on Twitter. Whatever way you look at it, Nancy is cornered.

*CHINA PLA PLANE SU-35 IS FLYING ACROSS TAIWAN STRAIT: CCTV (5mins ago)

Reports of air raid sirens sounding in the Chinese coastal towns overlooking the Strait of Taiwan (Fujian province)

Pelosi Landing expected to take place in 2mins (22:43 local time). Think you can see the plane now…

LIVE Feed: https://twitter.com/reuters/status/1554461744164007936?s=21&t=ZA1Lvx8TTiYO5Hc4G8TVUQ

The covid team “big whites” have arrived to escort Nancy…