Washington, DC [US]: US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo has raised serious concerns over the accelerating pace and scope of China’s military exercises, warning that Beijing’s expansion threatens regional stability and challenges US strategic readiness.
Speaking at the Sedona Forum hosted by the McCain Institute in Arizona, Admiral Paparo stated,
“The rates of change on the depth and breadth of their exercises is the one non-linear effect that I’ve seen in the last year that wakes me up at night or keeps me up at night.”
According to a report cited by the Taipei Times, Paparo highlighted that while the US still holds a military edge in a potential conflict over Taiwan, that advantage is rapidly narrowing due to China’s aggressive naval expansion, particularly in the production of submarines and warships.
He noted that the US maintains “key advantages” over China in undersea capabilities, space operations, and anti-space weapons systems, but admitted that China’s military output is growing at a rate that is difficult for the US to match.
Addressing China’s intentions toward Taiwan, Paparo stressed that deterrence is influenced by several factors, including:
- The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) combat readiness
- Taiwan’s defensive posture
- Beijing’s perception of international willingness to intervene
In a parallel warning, General Ronald Clark, Commander of the US Army Pacific, reflected on the changing strategic environment:
“I would not have thought that China today would hold rehearsals of a blockade of Taiwan, but now it is commonplace.”
Clark added that China’s increasingly assertive behaviour has made the Indo-Pacific region “more dangerous” compared to just a few years ago. Since 2022, the PLA has carried out exercises that simulate encirclement and isolation of Taiwan, offering insights into possible strategies for a blockade or invasion.
To counteract these evolving threats, the US military is developing Multi-Domain Task Forces and deploying systems like the Typhon missile launcher.
“If it gives them [Beijing] pause … let them have it,” said Clark, underlining the importance of robust deterrence.
These remarks reflect mounting concern in Washington over China’s long-term strategic aims in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific.