China seeks to be able to invade Taiwan by 2027. This was stated by the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John Aquilino, UNN reports with reference to Nikkei Asia.
Details
He explained that he believes so because Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked "his military to be ready to fulfill the task in 2027.
Aquilino expressed concern over China's military buildup and growing provocations against Taiwan. He added that China will continue to spend significant resources on military needs even in the face of growing economic difficulties.
Despite the economic downturn, there is a conscious decision to finance the military potential
Aquilino criticized China for supplying semiconductors and other dual-use products to Russia, which supports Moscow's military actions in Ukraine. According to him, Beijing claims that companies sell these products "separately from the government." But he rejected this view, pointing to the merger of China's military and civilian sectors.
Add
Aquilino also touched on the agreement between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the April 10 summit to establish a joint operational command for US forces in Japan to facilitate closer cooperation with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, which will establish its own joint operational command.
Further integration of the forces "is absolutely the right way to go," Aquilino said, adding that the two sides will consider concrete options for moving forward in the framework of the ministerial dialogue.
Context
In the South China Sea, Chinese government vessels have been carrying out provocative actions in recent months near the Philippine-controlled Second Thomas Shoal. According to Aquilino, increased or escalated actions by China may "necessitate the activation of the mutual defense treaty" between the United States and the Philippines.
Recall
Biden reaffirmed the US defense commitments to the Philippines and Japan, saying that any attack on Philippine forces in the South China Sea would lead to the strengthening of their mutual defense treaty.