China prepares for war, retired general warns

China is preparing its military for war over Taiwan, warned former U.S. Army lieutenant general and former national security adviser HR McMaster.

Relations between China and Taiwan, which have long been strained over the island’s move for independence, have become even more tense as China’s leadership has become increasingly aggressive. Taiwan considers itself independent of China and is recognized as a semi-autonomous state, but China claims it as its own, and control of the island is integral to its policy of reunification. I believe.

Amid mounting tensions, McMaster said during an appearance on CBS News that he believes China may be gearing up for military action to take control of the island nation. face the nation Chinese President Xi Jinping, who secured a historic third term last year, has revealed plans to retake Taiwan, he added.

“In his statement, Xi Jinping made it clear that he is trying to make China whole again by including Taiwan,” McMaster said. “And preparations are underway.”

McMaster says the best way to prevent a large-scale military war over Taiwan is “deterrence,” which the US has already spent more than $1.6 trillion on defense, but which is “much more costly.” So we need to invest more in national security, he added. He boasts one of the most powerful armies in the world, to meet a war with China, which continues to seek to expand its influence in the Pacific region.

“China is becoming more and more aggressive not only from an economic and financial standpoint, but from a wolf-warrior diplomacy standpoint, but also physically and militarily,” McMaster said. “And I think what’s really disturbing is that Xi Jinping is preparing the Chinese people for war.”

He pointed to some of Xi Jinping’s hard-toned speeches in recent months as evidence that the US should take the threat of war more seriously and “expand our power.” Doing so would force allies to invest more in their defenses, which would serve more as a deterrent, he added.

He said the US and its allies must “not fall into the same trap” or “be careful not to fall into the same trap” as Russia, which launched its invasion of Ukraine last February. .

McMaster’s warning follows other indications that China may be considering war against Taiwan. in November, Guardian According to the report, Xi has instructed the military to “focus all its energies on combat” to prepare for potential war.

“Everyone concentrate [your] Put energy into the fight, work hard at the fight, improve [your] The ability to win,” he was quoted as saying.

Ties between China and Taiwan intensified last August after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a historic visit to Taiwan. At the time, Beijing made several threats against her visit and launched military exercises around the island, leading to concerns that the conflict could escalate.

Newsweek We have reached out to the State Department for comment.