That's a group of people at a shooting range earlier this summer in Taiwan.

They're getting ready for war and with good reason.

We've witnessed a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan.

And that includes PLA aircraft flying near Taiwan in record numbers in recent months.

Taiwan's a self-governing island that claims its independence, but that China has long viewed as its own.

Much of the world doesn't have diplomatic ties to Taiwan, including the United States.

But last week, Nancy Pelosi became the first speaker of the House in a quarter century to visit the island nation.

Our delegation came here to send an unequivocal message.

America stands with Taiwan.

But China viewed Pelosi's trip as a direct challenge.

I'm Gustav Ariano. You're listening to the Times, essential news from the LA Times.

It's Monday, August 8, 2022.

Today, as tensions over Taiwan ratchet up, the island is preparing for war.

But are the people ready?

Joining me to talk about all this is our Beijing correspondent, Stephanie Yang.

Stephanie, welcome to the Times.

Thanks for having me.

So Stephanie, Speaker Pelosi, surprise supporters and opponents alike with her Taiwan trip.

But how did the Taiwanese respond?

And then how did China respond?

Yeah.

So if you look at the responses from China, Taiwan, and USA, they were kind of all across

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