Beijing has the upper hand in the Western Pacific, a former US Army vice chief of staff has warned
The United States would be at a disadvantage if it engaged in a direct military confrontation with China over Taiwan, suggested former U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff Jack Keane.
China has “no more ships, no more planes, [and] more offensive and defensive missiles than the United States” in the Western Pacific, Keane said Friday in comments to Fox News, where he works as a senior strategic analyst.
The retired general, however, predicted that Beijing would likely opt for a different strategy of trying to control Taiwan by imposing a total blockade.
The retired general argued that China could win “without firing a shot”, rather than getting involved in a costly confrontation. To guarantee that outcome, Beijing’s leaders should establish control over Taiwan’s airspace as well as the sea lanes, Keane suggested.
The United States would be well advised to strengthen its “deterrent capability” in the region for “to prevent a war” added the retired general. To that end, Keane said Washington should increase arms production and double Taipei’s armament.
According to the retired general, another important task for the United States is to ensure that regional powers such as Australia, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines are on board in case Washington faces Beijing. militarily.
Addressing delegates from the National People’s Congress of China on Sunday, outgoing Premier Li Keqiang stressed Beijing’s determination to “to advance the process of peaceful reunification of China” while taking resolute action to oppose Taiwan independence.
The official also announced a 7.2% increase in China’s defense spending, bringing it to some $230 billion.
In recent years, senior Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, have repeatedly asserted that military options are not off the table regarding Taiwan.
Taiwan has been de facto independent since 1949, when the losing side of the Chinese Civil War fled to the island and established its own administration. While most countries, including the United States, profess to uphold the “One China” principle and do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, the self-governing island has long had close ties with Washington.
China regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory temporarily occupied by separatists.
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