China threat to invade Taiwan more imminent than believed, says US admiral

WASHINGTON • The Chinese threat to invade Taiwan is serious and more imminent than many understand, the United States admiral chosen to lead the Pentagon's Indo-Pacific region said on Tuesday.

China considers recovering control over Taiwan its "No. 1 priority", Admiral John Aquilino, nominated to become commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"The rejuvenation of the Chinese Communist Party is at stake" with the Taiwan issue, he said.

He disagreed with recent comments by outgoing commander, Admiral Philip Davidson, that China could attempt to attack and take over Taiwan as soon as six years from now.

"My opinion is that this problem is much closer to us than most think and we have to take this on," Adm Aquilino told the panel, which was reviewing his nomination.

He said the threat was such that the United States needs to implement a proposed US$27 billion (S$36 billion) plan to boost US defences in the region "in the near term and with urgency".

"The Chinese Communist Party has generated some capabilities in the region that are designed to keep us out," he said. "The most dangerous concern is that of a military force against Taiwan."

But Adm Aquilino declined to comment on the suggestion by Republican Senator Tom Cotton, a hawk regarding the Chinese threat, that Beijing could opt to attack Taiwan as early as next year.

Mr Cotton noted that Russia invaded and occupied Crimea in 2014 just days after it hosted the Winter Olympics. China, he noted, will host the Winter Olympics in February next year.

Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan split from China at the end of a civil war in 1949 and is a long-time US ally.

But Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified by force, if necessary.

Adm Aquilino, currently head of the US Pacific Fleet, stressed that there were two major concerns to letting China seize Taiwan.

First is the potential threat to global trade, much of which passes through the island.

Second, he said, is the damage that would have on US credibility with its Asian allies like Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

"The status of the United States as a partner with our allies and partners also is at stake should we have a conflict in Taiwan," he said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE