Chinese movements in the Taiwan region are rehearsals

Washington / Taipei – The movement of Chinese fighter jets across the border into Taiwan could be a dress rehearsal for future missions, claims US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Senior US officials and lawmakers have expressed fears that China will launch major cyber attacks on the US if the Taiwan issue provokes a US-China conflict. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has warned China on the Taiwan issue that any attempt to strike would have serious consequences.

Over the past year, the intrusion of Chinese aircraft into Taiwan‘s airspace has increased significantly. In the first week of October alone, more than 150 Chinese aircraft had infiltrated Taiwan’s territory. It was also revealed last week that more than 40 Chinese aircraft had entered Taiwan’s territory. These intrusions carried out by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army are a part of ‘Grey Zone Warfare’. But in recent months, the Chinese leadership and the media have been threatening Taiwan with the war in aggressive terms. The Chinese government mouthpiece ‘The Global Times’ claimed that the Chinese air force has had good practice in the Taiwanese airspace, proving very important during an attack.

The US Secretary of Defense was questioned on the issue of China‘s aggression. Austin noted that he didn’t want to speculate but said, ‘Certainly, it looks like them exploring what their true capabilities [are], and sure, it looks like a rehearsal.’ He said that the United States is a Pacific power and the rise of autocratic China is a significant challenge posed to the United States.

Other senior US officials and Congressmen present for the event organised by the study group Reagan National Defense Forum raised the issue of Chinese cyberattacks. US Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth warned that in a conflict between the United States and China, China could launch cyberattacks that could cripple the US systems. Senior US Senator Jack Reed echoed this sentiment and expressed a fear that cyberattacks could target reserve forces and supplies.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has warned China over the Taiwan issue. ‘It is expected that the Chinese leaders will think twice before attacking Taiwan. If China attempts this, many will have to face the consequences and it will not be in anyone’s interest,’ Secretary of State Blinken warned.