Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should serve as a warning to the whole world that China may launch an attack on the autonomous island of Taiwan, the commander-in-chief of the US military forces in the region believes.
Admiral John Aquilino, head of the Indo-Pacific Command, said China has shown “boldness” in the past year, from its increasingly assertive stance on Taiwan to testing hypersonic weapons last July.
But it is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, that should alert the world.
“I don’t think that five months ago anyone would have predicted an invasion of Ukraine. So I think lesson number one is: “Hey, this can really happen,” he told the Financial Times during a visit to Australia.
“Secondly, don’t be complacent. . . We must always be ready.”
His warning came after several months of Chinese aggression against Taiwan, including nine Chinese aircraft invading its air defense zone on the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This raised concerns that China might make its move while the world watches Eastern Europe.
Taiwan’s defense minister announced this week that he is considering extending the current four-month mandatory military service as part of his response to China’s maneuvers.
“Their operations have certainly changed, especially as far as their operations around Taiwan are concerned—an increase in sea and air operations designed as a pressure campaign against the people of Taiwan,” Aquilino said in his first major interview since the last Indo-Pacom takeover. April.
US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral John Aquilino inspects US Marines at Robertson Air Defense Barracks in Darwin, Australia, on Wednesday. In an interview, he said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should warn the world to be wary of China’s intentions regarding Taiwan.
Taiwanese army soldiers during a readiness exercise amid escalating tensions between Taiwan and China in January. Taipei government monitors aftermath of events in Ukraine
Taiwan is bracing for more Chinese military patrols this year, after China’s People’s Liberation Army incursions more than doubled in 2021, heightening fears of a clash.
Taiwan Army soldiers during a readiness exercise amid escalating tensions between Taiwan and China in Taiwan.
As a result, he added: “We must make sure that we are ready for any action.”
He added that Taiwan is just one area of concern.
Last year, China tested hypersonic weapons that circled the Earth, and the Pentagon believes Beijing’s nuclear arsenal could grow to more than 1,000 warheads by 2030.
The result has been a series of ominous warnings from US officials that China is seeking to outdo US military power by using its new economic power to attract investment in weapons and technology.
Nowhere is this more worrisome than in Taiwan, where the Biden administration sent former senior Defense Department officials last month in a show of support after the invasion of Ukraine.
The visit was led by Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
This followed months of Chinese aggression against Taiwan, including nine Chinese aircraft entering its air defense zone on the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
At the same time, President Tsai Ing-wen ordered Taiwan’s armed forces and Taiwan’s security forces to be put on high alert amid warnings that China could sense Western weakness after it failed to prevent a Russian attack.
Kurt Campbell, Biden’s overlord in Asia, called the delegation “unofficial” during an online discussion with the German Marshall Fund.
Beijing claims the self-ruled island is its own and has promised to hand it over to Chinese control, by force if necessary.
A Taiwanese corvette is deployed during a readiness exercise amid escalating tensions between Taiwan and China in Taiwan.
Beijing claims the self-governing island of Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to seize it by force if necessary. Aggressive combat aircraft flights have intensified in recent months.
Beijing’s ambassador to Washington further escalated tensions in January, warning that the two superpowers could go to war if the US supported the island’s independence.
The attack on Ukraine added another dimension at a time when relations between Beijing and Moscow were reported to be at an historic peak. Last week, China appeared to offer Russia a lifeline to circumvent sanctions by lifting restrictions on wheat imports.
The delegation also included Megan O’Sullivan, former deputy national security adviser, and Michel Flournoy, former deputy secretary of defense under Obama.
And two former senior directors of the National Security Council for Asia, Mike Green and Evan Medeiros, will also make the trip to show continued support for Taiwan.
“The selection of these five sends an important signal of the US bipartisan commitment to Taiwan and its democracy and demonstrates that the Biden administration’s broader commitment to Taiwan remains unwavering,” a senior administration official said.
Details of the mission emerged shortly after Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine and nine Chinese aircraft overflew Taiwanese airspace, more than in conventional incursions.
The number of aircraft involved was much lower than during the last large-scale invasion – 39 Chinese aircraft on January 23 – and since then such overflights have been sporadic and there have been far fewer aircraft.
But Taiwan said the latest mission involved eight Chinese J-16 fighter jets and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft that flew over an area northeast of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the upper South China Sea.
Taiwan said it raised the interceptors to counter the threat from eight Chinese J-16 fighter jets and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft that flew over an area northeast of the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the upper South China Sea.
Taipei is watching the consequences of Ukraine with apprehension.
“The principle of self-determination cannot be wiped off the face of the earth by brute force,” said Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te.
At the time, diplomats said the delegation was evidence that Russia’s actions had prompted Washington, which has focused on the Indo-Pacific under Biden, to strengthen relations.
“The general feeling is that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has accelerated a seismic shift in geopolitics. This does not undermine the efforts of the Indo-Pacific region, but strengthens them,” said a senior Western diplomat.
“We will see the US redouble its efforts in relations in the region and beyond.”