China’s military strength could advance Taiwan unification by force, says US official
- Concern in Washington that People’s Liberation Army is reaching the point where it is confident of overpowering the island
- But the official says the United States does not expect Beijing to favour this option any time soon
A US defence intelligence official has warned that Beijing’s growing military prowess might encourage it to consider bringing self-ruled Taiwan under its control by force, despite concerns from the United States.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in Washington, said such a possibility was the biggest worry in Washington as Beijing steadily expanded and modernised its military, although he did not predict the mainland would take such a step any time soon.
“The biggest concern is that … they are getting to a point where the People’s Liberation Army [PLA] leadership may actually tell [mainland Chinese President] Xi Jinping that they are confident in their capabilities,” the official was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Asked if he was referring to the mainland’s confidence in its ability to win a battle with Taiwan, Reuters quoted the official as saying: “Well, specifically that would be the most concerning to me.”
In a speech on January 2, marking the 40th anniversary of a cross-strait ceasefire, Xi called for talks to seek a peaceful unification with Taiwan under the one-China principle but stressed Beijing would not renounce the use of force to achieve that purpose.