Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the United States, has warned against a Chinese invasion of the island and accused Beijing of pursuing “global military hegemony” while promising to provide Taiwan’s military with both equipment and training.
The American general emphasized that Washington will continue to deepen security cooperation with Taipei during a speech at an event hosted by the Economic Club of New York on Wednesday, despite vociferous opposition from Beijing, which views the island as a part of its sovereign territory.
In reference to US law establishing the connection with Taipei, Milley said, “The US is committed through the Taiwan Relations Act, and President [Joe] Biden has emphasized on several occasions recently that the United States would continue to assist Taiwan.”
“We will support them militarily” and “try to help train them and equip them.”
Milley went on to claim that while there’s no indication Beijing will attack the island in the immediate future, Chinese President Xi Jinping is now “evaluating the situation and recalculating what they might do,” noting that an assault across the Taiwan Strait would be “really difficult.”
“It’s really hard. And I think they’re coming to realize that,” he continued, adding that preparations for an attack and actually carrying one out are “two different things.”
Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen said last year that American military personnel were already on the island educating soldiers, but she did not disclose how many were there, only that it was “not as many as many expected.” Christopher Maier, the head of the US Special Forces, advised that the Pentagon deploy advisers to Taiwan in May 2021 to train soldiers there on how to fight a “amphibious landing.” It is unknown if that suggestion was ever considered.
Milley stressed a key talking point repeatedly echoed by officials in Washington, insisting Beijing is America’s top competitor and security concern. He said the country is seeking regional – and eventually global – military superiority, arguing it would like to achieve the latter before the year 2050.
“We’re fine with competition – no problem,” Milley said. “But if China wants conflict, then that would be a really bad choice for China.
In contravention of the One-China policy, which Washington technically accepts, US officials are treating the island more and more like an independent state. White House advisers have repeatedly pulled down President Biden’s promises that the US military would assist in defending against a Chinese invasion.
The possibility of an armed conflict over Taiwan was mentioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his report to the Communist Party of China’s Congress last month. He emphasized that while peaceful reunification is Beijing’s top priority, he also cautioned that Beijing reserves the right to use military force to thwart any attempts by the Taiwanese government to declare independence. He instructed the military of the nation to ensure that it is prepared to respond to security threats last week.
Source: https://www.rt.com/news/566317-milley-taiwan-military-aid/
