Admiral John Aquilino, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, recently revealed in an interview with Nikkei Asia that China is planning to possess the ability to invade Taiwan by 2027, based on a directive from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Aquilino stressed that China is actively investing in its military capabilities despite economic challenges and emphasized the growing military threat posed by China.
Furthermore, Aquilino criticized China's support for Russia's military actions in Kyiv, highlighting concerns about the close ties between China's military and civilian sectors. He raised alarms about China's recent provocative activities in the South China Sea, particularly near the Philippine-controlled Second Thomas Shoal, warning that escalating actions by China could trigger the activation of the US-Philippines mutual defense treaty.
In a separate development, Members of the United States House of Representatives reaffirmed their support for Taiwan during a visit, expressing commitment to bolster bilateral relations across various domains amidst mounting pressure from China. The US legislators, including Lisa McClain and Mark Alford, praised Taiwan's resilience against Chinese Communist Party threats and emphasized the strong bond between Taiwan and the US based on shared values of freedom and democracy. Additionally, they stressed the importance of enhancing Taiwan's security through expedited foreign military sales and promoting economic cooperation to elevate Taiwan's international standing.