US def secy slams hypersonic arms pursuit by China
SEOUL/SINGAPORE: US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that China’s pursuit of hypersonic weapons “increases tensions in the region” and vowed the US will maintain its capability to deter potential threats posed by China.
Austin spoke following annual security talks in Seoul, which came after the Pentagon released on Monday the results of a global posture review that directs additional cooperation with allies to deter “potential Chinese military aggression and threats from North Korea”.
China’s growing military muscle and its drive to end American predominance in Asia have triggered unease in Washington.
The Chinese push was highlighted by its July test of a hypersonic weapon capable of partially orbiting Earth before re-entering the atmosphere and gliding on a manoeuvrable path to its target. Experts say the weapons system is clearly designed to evade US missile defences, although China insisted it was testing a reusable space vehicle, not a missile.
“We have concerns about the military capabilities that the PRC continues to pursue, and the pursuit of those capabilities increases tensions in the region,” Austin said in reference to the hypersonic weapons test, using the abbreviation for the People’s Republic of China, the country’s official name.
“We’ll continue to maintain the capabilities to defend and deter against a range of potential threats from the PRC to ourselves and to our allies,” he said. ‘US is committed to help Taiwan defend itself’ Threats and coercion by China towards Taiwan increase the need for the US to help Taiwan maintain a credible self-defence, the top diplomat for Asia said on Thursday. Assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, speaking in Singapore during a visit to Southeast Asia, said the US has a rock solid commitment to assist Taiwan.
“As the threat and coercion from the People’s Republic of China increases, I think we need to respond as well in an appropriate way,” Kritenbrink told reporters in Singapore, specifically citing support over self-defence and trade. “We intend to live up to our obligations, our rock solid obligations and commitments.”
Separately China’s foreign ministry summoned Japan’s envoy in Beijing for an “emergency meeting” on Wednesday, after former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said neither his country nor the US could stand by if China attacked Taiwan.