The Speaker has so far refused to confirm the stopover, but if it goes ahead it could precipitate the largest crisis in the Straits of Taiwan for almost 40 years.

Beijing has reacted furiously to the prospective visit of the number three in line in the US government to Taiwan. Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned President Joe Biden on Thursday that ‘those who play with fire will be perished by it.’

‘It is hoped that the US will be clear-eyed about this.’

The People’s Liberation Army was conducting ‘live-fire exercises’ near the Pingtan islands off Fujian province, the official Xinhua News Agency announced. The Maritime Safety Administration warned ships to avoid the area.