Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, reiterated the fleet’s mission to deter aggression in the South China Sea and Taiwan, underlining their strategic importance for regional and global stability, according to the Taipei Times.
Speaking at the 15th annual South China Sea Conference hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Hawaii, Koehler stated that China has expanded its military deployments and aggressive tactics in the South China Sea while intensifying preparations for potential invasion or blockade of Taiwan as part of its regional dominance strategy.
“Our mission of deterrence covers the entire region, including both the South China Sea and Taiwan. A crisis or conflict in either area would threaten the interests of many nations,” Koehler remarked.
He further said the Pacific Fleet’s main goal is to prevent such aggression by working closely with allies and partners, and to be ready for combat if necessary.
Koehler confirmed that two US carrier strike groups—the USS Nimitz and the USS George Washington—are currently operating in the region. The USS Nimitz has been patrolling near the South China Sea, while the USS George Washington is based in Japan and remains active across the Western Pacific.
Additionally, the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship is heading to its new station in Sasebo, Japan, and the USS America Amphibious Readiness Group is participating in the Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia.
Looking ahead, Koehler warned that China is expected to continue efforts to divide Southeast Asian nations and assert control over disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Tetsuo Kotani, senior fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs, supported this assessment and urged for a unified allied approach to potential conflict zones in East Asia—including the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea—as part of a “single theatre” strategy.
Kotani emphasized that without Taiwan’s involvement, Indo-Pacific nations would face difficulties ensuring peace in the region. However, China’s “One China” principle complicates direct military collaboration with Taiwan.
To circumvent this diplomatic challenge, Kotani proposed that Taiwan be invited as an observer to joint military drills like Balikatan and Rim of the Pacific, offering other militaries opportunities for indirect interaction with Taiwanese forces.
As tensions persist in the region, the US Pacific Fleet’s posture remains a crucial element of Indo-Pacific stability, reinforcing deterrence against potential Chinese military moves targeting Taiwan or contested maritime territories.