US defense chief claims China plans to 'invade' Taiwan in 2027
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Saturday that China plans to "invade" Taiwan in 2027 and warned that any attempt could result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific region and the world.
Hegseth urged US allies in the region to increase their defense spending as he addressed the Shangri-La Dialogue -- a key annual defense and security forum, in Singapore.
"We know that (Chinese President) Xi Jinping has ordered his military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. The PLA (People's Liberation Army) is building the capabilities needed to do it -- at breakneck speed. The PLA is training for it, every day. The PLA is rehearsing for the real deal," he said, according to a transcript by the US Department of Defense.
He added that Washington is not going to "sugarcoat it" but the threat China poses is real and it could be imminent.
"But let me again be clear: The United States does not seek war. We do not seek to dominate or strangle China. We do not seek to humiliate China. We do not seek regime change. Instead, we seek peace. But we must ensure that China cannot dominate us — or our allies and partners." said Hegseth.
He accused Beijing of harassing its neighbors in the South China Sea, but said Washington is watching China's actions closely.
"Any unilateral attempt in the South China Sea to change the status quo by force or coercion is unacceptable," said Hegseth, adding Beijing wants to control the Asia region.
He urged Asian and European allies to increase their defense spending.,"We must ensure that our defense spending reflects the dangers and threats we face today."
Hegseth added that President Donald Trump is building the US military stronger as he proposes spending for the first time -- more than $1 trillion next year to do it.
"The Golden Dome for America, our new sixth-generation fighter, the F-47; our new stealth bomber, the B-21; new submarines and destroyers are all a part of that. The best military equipment in the world," he said.
Hegseth also announced defense cooperation projects under the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) -- a US-initiated forum of 14 allies and partners.
He said the first project is to establish repair capability and capacity for P-8 radar systems in Australia, which will enable US allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific operating the aircraft, including New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, to repair them within the region rather than relying on a single repair source in the US.
Sources: AA
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