2023-09-19 20:47:39
(Central News Agency, Washington, 19th, comprehensive foreign news reports) Senior Pentagon officials testified before the House Armed Services Committee of Congress today that if China blocks Taiwan, it may end in failure. If China directly invades Taiwan with military force, it will be extremely difficult to succeed.
The communist army has stepped up its activities around Taiwan in recent years. CIA Director William Burns said in early February this year that Chinese President Xi Jinping had ordered the People’s Liberation Army to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027.
However, it is still unclear whether Xi Jinping will order a military seizure of power through military options such as blockade or invasion.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs Ely Ratner testified that the blockade would give Taiwan’s allies time to mobilize resources for Taiwan. He pointed out that the blockade would have an extremely serious impact on the economy and would strengthen international determination to confront Beijing.
“The blockade may not be successful and would create a significant risk for the People’s Republic of China to escalate the situation, at which point it may have to consider whether it is willing to eventually start attacking merchant ships off the coast,” Reitner said.
Maj. Gen. Joseph McGee, deputy director for strategy, plans and policy at the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, said a blockade was an unlikely option given the challenges involved.
“I think it’s an option, but it’s probably not a very likely option, and when you start looking at the military options – it’s much easier to talk regarding a blockade than to actually do it,” McGee testified.
McGee pointed out that it would be extremely difficult for the People’s Liberation Army to launch a frontal or amphibious invasion of Taiwan, and it would be impossible to launch a surprise attack.
“They have to mass tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of troops on the East Coast, and that would be a clear signal.”
He said categorically: “It will definitely not be that easy for the People’s Liberation Army to invade Taiwan.”
He pointed out: “They will also encounter an island with few beaches and may land in a mountainous area. And we believe that the people on the island are willing to fight to the end, so it will definitely not be that easy for the People’s Liberation Army to invade Taiwan.” (Translator: Chen Zhengyi) 1120920
1695166697
#Senior #U.S #defense #official #Chinas #blockade #Taiwan #failure
