U.S. Armed Forces need to be prepared for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan by the end of the year. The warning comes from the head of the U.S. Navy, Admiral Mike Gilday
U.S. forces were operating under the notion China was gearing up for a 2027 invasion, a timetable proposed by the former head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. But at China’s recently wrapped 20th National Congress, President Xi Jinping made several statements about “resolving the Taiwan question” and reaffirmed his commitment to use force if necessary to realize China’s complete reunification.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also issued a warning this week, that Beijing was determined to pursue reunification with Taiwan on a much faster timeline. However, neither he nor the Navy chief gave an exact date.
It’s not clear how the U.S. would react if China invades Taiwan. About a month ago, President Joe Biden said U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if invaded, but the White House later walked that statement back. Strategy talks on how to deal with China continue.
The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will meet with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Tokyo next week. The three held previous talks in June.
Agenda topics this time around include the potentially imminent Taiwan invasion, the ongoing Ukraine invasion and North Korea’s recent flurry of missile launches.
Reuters contributed to this report.
