Adam. John Aquilino told the Senate Armed Services Committee that U.S. Is reviewing nominations to lead the Army’s Indo-Pacific Command.
Aquilino added that China considers establishing full control over Taiwan to be its “number one priority.”
But Aquilino said Beijing would not allow the U.S. Is setting a track record of using force to achieve the goals of the Communist Party as soon as the organizers predict.
Aquilino did not give a specific timeline for when the Taiwanese army could try to capture it, nor did it provide any new or specific intelligence to support his claim.
Mainland China and Taiwan have ruled separately since the end of the bloody civil war in 1949, but Beijing has promised never to allow the island to formally become independent, and has refused to use force if necessary.
Taiwan is an indispensable part of China, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian said in January. “The PLA will take all necessary steps to” firmly defeat any attempt made by the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. “
China is also adamant that its military is defensive.
The development of China’s national defense is aimed at meeting its proper security needs and contributing to the development of a peaceful world military, the country’s 2019 Defense White Paper said.
The Admiral accused China of being aggressive
But Davidson said in his Senate testimony two weeks ago that the Chinese military has created a force designed for offensive operations.
He told the Senate Armed Services Committee, “I don’t understand some of the capabilities for my life that they are putting in the field unless it’s an aggressive posture.”
“I see them developing systems, capabilities and a posture that shows they are interested in aggression,” Davidson said.
Aquilino said on Tuesday that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was intensely focusing on everything needed to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control.
U.S. “The military threat against Taiwan is growing. The PLA has deployed a wide range of advanced weapons and systems as part of the ongoing military modernization aimed at achieving a decisive overmatch against Taiwan,” the Admiral said in a written statement.
For example, analysts note that Beijing is building warships such as helicopter landing docks and large amphibious assault ships that could be useful in taking over the islands.
U.S. Aquilino, the current commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, said the deterrent capabilities in the Pacific need to be increased, including the deployment of U.S. warships by the Taiwan Strait and the exercise of dual aircraft carrier strike groups. The South China Sea, however, has not been effective.
“We have certainly not changed their will, intentions, or ability to implement the largest military buildup we have ever seen.”
Asked by senators if the U.K. Why should Taiwan be defended? Aquilino said Washington’s credibility as an ally of places like Japan and the Philippines is at stake if the island is to fall into Beijing.
“If that happens, it will negatively affect our standing in the region and challenge the rest of our allies and partners, and the US, which will negatively affect our ability to operate independently in the region,” he said.
Aquilino also told senators that the presence of Chinese troops on Taiwan would give Beijing dominance over two-thirds of global trade, which passes through sea routes near the island.
The Admiral concluded the hearing and asked the senators to fully fund the Pentagon’s Pacific Determination Initiative, a list of new weapons and defensive measures worth .6 6.6 billion.
“I believe the whole government in the U.S. is sending a message that it is focused on the challenge of the United States, which applies to the West Pacific,” Aquilino said.
The Biden administration took a hard line
The remarks by the nominee of the Indo-Pacific Command come weeks after the Biden administration took office in January, following weeks of anti-China rhetoric and military demonstrations.
During a visit to Japan earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken listed some of Washington’s grievances with Beijing.
He added that “China is using force to systematically undermine independence in Hong Kong, to control democracy in Taiwan, to abuse human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet, and to emphasize maritime claims in the South China Sea in violation of international law.” “We will push back if need be when China will use force or aggression.”
U.S. The military, meanwhile, continues to challenge Beijing’s claims through the Taiwan Strait, a waterway separating the island from mainland China, and the so-called Freedom on Navigation Operation (FONOPS) in the South China Sea, sending its guided-missile destroyers. – Increased actions in recent years under the command of Aquilino.
China says an operation like this shows that it is a U.S. Which undermines stability and will increase tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
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