WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — China is preparing to potentially invade Taiwan within the next three years, according to the commander of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific.
The warning was delivered during two consecutive days of testimony before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.
U.S. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, wrote in testimony to the House committee that China’s military is strengthening, meaning it’s on track with its 2027 goal to be ready to invade Taiwan.
“All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinping’s directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Furthermore, the PLA’s actions indicate their ability to meet Xi’s preferred timeline to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed,” he wrote.
Additionally, the warning comes amid conflicting reports that U.S. forces are training with Taiwanese counterparts on a small group of islands near the Chinese mainland.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has suggested that the U.S. military has deployed troops to some of Taiwan’s outlying islands.
This move will likely be perceived as a threat by China, the U.S.’s largest global rival.
However, Aquilino clarified to Congress Wednesday the reporting is inaccurate. He explained that while there is a troop presence, it’s not a permanent force.
It appears to be another stride deeper into what many already consider a Cold War-like rivalry between the world’s two major superpowers.
Meanwhile, the top commanders in the Indo-Pacific returned to Capitol Hill appearing before senators Thursday morning.
“What we all have to understand is we haven’t faced a threat like this since World War II. As Sen. Wicker said, the world’s largest navy, soon to be the world’s largest Airforce — so the magnitude, scope, and scale of this security challenge cannot be understated,” Aquilino said describing stakes of what could be a potential conflict between China and the U.S.
Aquilino and General Paul Lacamera discussed Ukraine, highlighting the notion that Chinese President Xi Jinping is closely watching what Russian President Vladimir Putin can achieve. They argued that the strongest deterrence to China is ensuring Russia is defeated on the battlefield in Ukraine.
