China’s military has become significantly more aggressive and dangerous over the past five years, US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley said during a visit to Indonesia, the Associated Press reported.
The American general pointed out that during the period in question, the number of interceptions of Chinese aircraft and ships in the Pacific region by US forces and their partners has increased significantly, and that the amount of dangerous military interactions has also seen a similar increase.
“The message is that the Chinese military has greatly increased its air and sea presence, and that its aggressive behavior specifically in this region is much more overt,” said Milley, who recently asked his staff to gather detailed information on military-to-military interactions. parts of China, the US and other powers in the Indo-Pacific region.
The American general commented on the topic at a time when the United States is redoubling its efforts to strengthen its relations with Pacific countries in opposition to China’s growing influence in the region. The administration of US President Joe Biden perceives Beijing as a “leading threat” and a major long-term security challenge, and Milli’s visit to the region is directly related to this issue, the Associated Press notes.
Milli will also discuss the rise of China’s military power at a meeting with defense ministers from countries in the Indo-Pacific region to be held in the Australian city of Sydney.
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