China and the United States are increasing their military force around the Taiwan Strait as tensions rise over a possible visit to the island by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This is reported by the South China Morning Post.

It is noted that the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group, including a guided-missile destroyer and a missile cruiser, left Singapore July 25, heading northeast toward the South China Sea.

The U.S. military did not disclose the final destination, but that route would lead the group to the Taiwan Strait if it continued in the same direction. Meanwhile, China is also increasing its air power in the region.

Pelosi has not yet confirmed her plans for the trip, but if her visit takes place, the military will increase its movements of forces and assets in the Indo-Pacific region. Fighter jets, ships, surveillance and other military systems would likely be used to provide overlapping rings of defense during her flight to Taiwan and when she arrives on the island.

The White House doubts that China will take direct action against Pelosi herself, but cannot rule out China increasing its patrols in the Taiwan Strait or conducting military exercises elsewhere.

The latest satellite images show that China's People's Liberation Army is also strengthening its deployment in the region, including the expansion of an airbase in Fujian, which is located across the Strait from Taiwan. Images show that earlier this month the Luntian airbase, from which fighters can reach Taipei in 7 minutes, was filled with Russian-made Flanker or Su-27 series fighters, or Chinese versions of the J-11, J-16 - and special drones from older J-6 jets.

It is noted that in the event of a conflict with Taiwan, thousands of J-6 drones could be used as decoys to overcome air defense systems, carry electronic warfare devices or explosives to act like missiles.

We should add that if Pelosi visits Taiwan, it would be the first trip of a U.S. representative of this level to the island since 1997.

As a reminder, the Chinese government previously threatened "drastic measures" if the Speaker of the House of Representatives visited Taiwan.