US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday that soon significant additional security assistance to Taiwan will be provided.
His remark came before the Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on a Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 24 Budget Request: Investing in US Security, Competitiveness and the Path Ahead for the US-China Relationship.
“Beijing has increased its bullying and provocations in the Indo-Pacific. It’s embarked upon a historic military buildup, including in space and cyberspace.
“Of course, war is neither imminent nor inevitable. But we must face up to the PRC’s growing assertiveness.
The United States does not seek confrontation, conflict, or a new Cold War. But America has never shied away from competition, and we’re working with both our rivals and our friends to strengthen the guardrails against conflict,” Austin said On his part, State Secretary Antony Blinken said that China represents the most consequential geopolitical challenge that (we) face today; a country with the intent and, increasingly, the capability to challenge (our) vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous international order.
“We cannot dictate Beijing’s path. We cannot wait for China to change its trajectory. But we can put ourselves in a position of strength to compete intensely to shape the broader strategic environment around China and to advance our vision”.
Source: Kuwait News Agency