US 'absolutely' capable of defending Taipei against potential Chinese attack, Commander claims
US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley says the country’s military is "absolutely" capable of defending Chinese Taipei against a potential attack from China.
"We absolutely have the capability to do all kinds of things around the world, to include that if required," the top commander told the Aspen Security Forum. "We absolutely have the capability. There's no question about that."
This is not the first time a US general brags about the so-called defense of the Chinese Taipei by American forces.
Milley, however, reiterated that he did not expect China to attempt to attack the island in the next 24 months.
"Based on my analysis of China, I don't think that it is likely in the near future -- being defined as, you know, six, 12, maybe 24 months, that kind of window," he said.
"Having said that, though, the Chinese are clearly and unambiguously building the capability to provide those options to the national leadership if they so choose at some point in the future. But near future? Probably not. But anything can happen."
China has sovereignty over Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over the island but has long courted Taipei in an attempt to unnerve Beijing.
The United States, which backs Taipei's secessionist president, also continues to sell weapons to the island in defiance of Beijing and in violation of its own official policy.
Relations between the US and China have grown tense in recent years, with the world's two largest economies clashing over a range of issues, including trade, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, military activities in the South China Sea, and the origins of the new coronavirus.
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