US commander: China is fast becoming more aggressive in region



China is quickly changing into extra aggressive in its rhetoric and actions throughout Asia, the outgoing head of the US Indo-Pacific Command mentioned, as Beijing turned up the warmth on Washington simply earlier than Secretary of State Tony Blinken heads to the nation for a high-stakes go to.
“All of us want to know that it’s transferring very quick,” Admiral John Aquilino advised reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday.“The buildup of navy energy regardless of a foul financial system, the elevated narrative of all issues contained in the 10-dash line are Chinese language sovereign territory, then the actions which can be going towards enforcement.”
His feedback got here because the US seeks to construct up a community of relationships with companions throughout the area to counter China — a transfer that has been condemned by Beijing. On the identical time, Blinken is about to make use of his first journey to China since mid-2023 to convey US considerations about Chinese language firms offering help to Russia’s battle machine and search to keep away from derailing Washington’s ties with Beijing.
In a International Ministry assertion launched Tuesday, China launched its harshest assault to this point on US complaints about industrial overcapacity, signaling Blinken could also be in for some troublesome conversations throughout his go to that runs from Wednesday to Friday.
Aquilino, who’s getting ready to step down after serving three years within the regional position overseeing 380,000 personnel, mentioned China’s actions within the South China Sea have been harmful and destabilizing. Tensions have grown across the Second Thomas Shoal, the place the Philippines maintains a grounded World Warfare II-era ship and Chinese language vessels have used water cannons to dam Philippine navy missions that rotate and resupply troops on the vessel.
He additionally criticized China for “an more and more aggressive marketing campaign plan of coercion and stress,” round Taiwan, together with elevated maritime patrols and continued crossing of a central line meant to forestall miscalculations. Blinken can be more likely to reiterate US help for Taiwan earlier than Lai Ching-te’s inauguration as president in Could, which may immediate a response from Beijing.
China lashed out at Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida following his go to to Washington this month, the place he bolstered ties with the US and took half within the first trilateral summit with the Philippines. Beijing’s navy additionally criticized “a sure non-regional nation” for constructing “small cliques,” which it mentioned have been “irresponsible and intensely harmful.”





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