US Indo-Pacific Commander: "China May Invade Taiwan Within 6 Years"

Commander Davidson: "China Threatens US-Led International Order"

Philip Davidson, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
[Photo by U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee website capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander has raised the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

On the 9th (local time), Philip Davidson, Indo-Pacific Commander, warned at the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that "there is a high possibility that China will launch an attack on Taiwan within six years." He added, "China's top priority is to threaten the U.S.-led international order," and "an invasion of Taiwan is part of achieving this goal."

Commander Davidson also expressed concern over China's increasing military activities in the Pacific region. He said, "China's expansion of military assets in the Pacific is causing instability in the region," and "China could dominate the Pacific region before our U.S. forces can respond effectively."

Meanwhile, experts view the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan as low. Jessica Drun, a researcher at the U.S. think tank Project 2049, stated, "I do not believe China has exhausted all the cards it can use against Taiwan to the extent of launching a military invasion," and predicted, "China will strengthen pressure on Taiwan through trade and diplomatic means."

She added, "However, recently, the Chinese Air Force has increasingly violated Taiwan's airspace, which could escalate this military threat," and "China might use this as a pretext to carry out military intervention against Taiwan."

Previously, Taiwan has strengthened its anti-China policy stance since the Democratic Progressive Party, which set independence from China as a core agenda, won the 2016 election. This has intensified conflicts between the two countries amid China's threat of military intervention.

Furthermore, during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. increased arms sales to Taiwan, to which China strongly opposed, warning of "retaliatory measures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.