washington —
U.S. military and defense officials are increasingly concerned that as China and Russia build increasingly strong ties, they may seek to challenge Western unity and ultimately alter the balance of power on the world stage.
Adm. John Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that the evolving relationship between Beijing and Moscow was making the current environment “the most dangerous in my 40 years of service.” of “a big chunk”.
“The cooperation between these two authoritarian countries puts us in a different security environment,” General Aquilino said at a hearing in Washington on Wednesday.
“My sense is that this is a way to counter U.S. expansion and alliances and partnerships with like-minded allies and partners in the region. It’s their confrontation,” he said.
Aquilino added that signs of expanded cooperation with North Korea and Iran, both of which are seeking to supply Russia with weapons for use in the war in Ukraine, “should be of global concern.”
Pentagon officials have long sought to portray China and Russia as distinct countries, viewing Beijing’s growing military power and willingness to use military force as a challenge while viewing Russia and its actions as more of a threat.
However, Aquilino described the relationship between China, Russia, North Korea and Iran as an “axis of evil” in its nascent stage.
“We should act accordingly,” he said.
Ely Ratner, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, also believes that the development of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly closely linked.
He told lawmakers: “It is important to emphasize that standing with Ukraine will help strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. It will demonstrate that this violence has costs and consequences, and the free world will unite.” .”
Ratner and Aquilino’s assessment follows similar warnings from senior U.S. intelligence officials: Russia’s war in Ukraine, while not yet successful in achieving all of Moscow’s goals, has emboldened China’s leadership.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers earlier this month that Beijing had managed to extract concessions it had long sought from Moscow in exchange for support for the war in Ukraine.
CIA Director William Burns said Russia’s success in Ukraine could “fuel the Chinese leadership’s ambitions in unexpected events from Taiwan to the South China Sea.”
Aquilino said those concerns are emerging as China’s military becomes “increasingly aggressive and bolder” and Beijing’s attention remains as focused on Taiwan.
“China is absolutely willing to absorb Taiwan without starting a war,” he said. “This is evident in their increasingly aggressive coercive actions against Taiwan, increasingly deploying ships nearby and crossing the center line with their air assets. … They are taking every action to try to bring Taiwan to its knees. “
Aquilino warned that China’s military provocations also increased the risk of conflict in the Philippines and surrounding areas.
“This is a very critical hotspot that could end up being very bad,” he said. “In fact, they (Chinese troops) are now firing water cannons and ramming Philippine ships trying to support Philippine sailors. … I am concerned about where the situation is headed.”
Voice of America (VOA) has contacted Chinese officials for comment. In the past, China has responded to such accusations by accusing the United States of “hyping up” the threat.
Military officials also expressed concern Wednesday that a growing alliance between China, Russia, North Korea and Iran appears to be emboldening North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“I believe the Democratic Republic of Korea is not only responding to our activities but emulating them in many ways,” said Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of U.S. Forces Korea.
La Camera said Kim Jong Un “now has an opportunity to test some of his technology on the battlefield with the Russians. Not just his missile technology, but his artillery and other technology.”
