A top U.S military commander warned lawmakers over China’s significantly increased military activity near Taiwan, calling the actions a “rehearsal” for an impending invasion.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, gave testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee last week over his concerns about China’s growing operations off of Taiwan’s waters.
“In 2024, the People’s Liberation Party demonstrated growing capabilities through persistent pressure operations with military pressure against Taiwan increasing by 300 percent,” Paparo testified, adding, “China’s increasingly aggressive actions near Taiwan are not just exercises, they are rehearsals.”
Paparo said the U.S can no longer sit back amid “unprecedented aggression and military modernization” by the nation.
The Chinese military conducted large-scale drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan earlier this month that included an aircraft carrier battle group.
