China threat was 'created by the west' says Iain Duncan Smith
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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said on Thursday that despite rising tensions between the two nations, China does not plan to immediately take over the island state by force. He told lawmakers: “There’s little intent right now, or motivation, to do it militarily.”
“There’s no reason to do it militarily, and they know that. So, I think the probability is probably low, in the immediate, near-term future.
“My assessment in terms of capability, I think China has a ways to go to develop the actual, no-kidding capability to conduct military operations to seize through military means the entire island of Taiwan, if they wanted to do that.”
China has previously sparked fears of an all-out conflict due to its assertiveness toward Taiwan, a nation it regards as a breakaway state and has repeatedly threatened to take back by force if necessary.
On Monday, the 30 Nato member states voiced their concern over China creating “systemic challenges” for the transatlantic security alliance.
The military body issued a communique regarding Beijing’s combative stance following its summit in Brussels.
The statement read: “China’s stated ambitions and assertive behaviour present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order and to areas relevant to alliance security.”
The 79-point document claimed Beijing was “rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal” and being “opaque in implementing its military modernisation”.
It also highlighted China’s military links to Russia in their actions in the Euro-Atlantic region.
Nato also called on Beijing to comply with its international responsibilities.
The announcement read: “We call on China to uphold its international commitments and to act responsibly in the international system, including in the space, cyber, and maritime domains, in keeping with its role as a major power”
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg raised the alarm over Beijing’s “coercive behaviour”, and the impact it could have on member states’ security.
He said: “There are, of course, opportunities and we need to engage with China, on issues like climate change and arms controls.
“But China’s military build-up, growing influence and coercive behaviour also pose some challenges to our security, and we need to address them.”
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