3 weeks ago
The summation successful China's defense spending is concerning fixed its system is "failing", nan caput of nan U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said connected Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters successful Tokyo, Admiral John Aquilino said China's system had been battered by turmoil successful its existent property assemblage and asserted that its charismatic maturation rates were "not real".
He besides said China was spending "drastically more" connected its subject than nan 7.2% summation it declared past month.
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"Despite a failing economy, there's a conscious determination to money subject capability. That's concerning to me," said Aquilino, who is owed to time off his station adjacent month.
He besides criticized China's progressively aggressive rhetoric and actions successful nan South and East China Seas, specifically astir nan disputed Second Thomas Shoal and Taiwan.
Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander of nan United States Indo-Pacific Command speaks astatine nan IISS Special Lecture successful Singapore connected March 16, 2023. (Reuters/Caroline Chia/File Photo)
"As it applies specifically to Taiwan, I americium watching an progressively fierce run scheme of coercion and pressure," he said.
The Chinese overseas ministry did not instantly respond to a Reuters petition for comment.
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A apical Chinese subject leader told a gathering of elder overseas naval officials this week that China remains committed to resolving maritime disputes pinch different countries done speech but will not let itself to beryllium "abused".
Aquilino besides branded North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's regime "disgusting" for spending connected its subject moreover arsenic nan state has grappled pinch nutrient shortages.
"This is different authorities wherever each spot of economical beforehand that they whitethorn person contempt nan sanctions are going towards subject capacity and not to feeding nan North Korean people. That's disgusting," he said.
