The US Navy’s Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Stephen Koehler, has warned of the dangers posed by China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific, specifically its assertive behavior and unlawful claims, which he believes are destabilizing the region. Addressing the South China Sea Conference, Koehler stated that the US Navy’s goal is to deter aggression throughout the Western Pacific, focusing on areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan. He discussed China’s growing military presence and aggressive tactics, including drills simulating an invasion of Taiwan. Koehler described specific instances of aggressive actions, such as the use of water cannons and lasers and ship-to-ship collisions, even including assaults on Philippine Navy personnel. The US Navy and the Department of Defense view the Indo-Pacific as the primary theater of operations, demonstrated by the substantial resources deployed there. Two carrier strike groups are currently active in the region. At the conference, Tetsuo Kotani from the Japan Institute of International Affairs discussed Japan’s plans to strengthen defense cooperation through the “Japan Single Operational Area” concept, advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion in regional security initiatives to ensure enduring peace.
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