Nominated Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, to take over the position of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
The U.S. "Defense Express" released a report on the 1st, saying that Biden nominated Admiral Samuel Paparo to take over as commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Paparo, who currently serves as commander of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, was questioned by the Senate Armed Services Committee in which he bluntly raised the Taiwan Strait issue and warned of the threat posed by China, arguing that supporting Ukraine is a means of containing China.
Paparo emphasized the strategy of support for Ukraine.
In questioning, Paparo said that in order to curb possible similar actions by Chinese mainland, the United States should continue to provide assistance to Ukraine to help it counter Russian military objectives. Paparo's insight comes from speculation about Chinese mainland's possible attitude toward conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
Paparo's military background.
Paparo served in the U.S. Navy for 37 years, held several positions including fighter pilots, and participated in military operations in Afghanistan. He will succeed Admiral John Aquilino as the head of Indo-Pacific Command. However, his nomination has yet to be formally approved by the Senate.
Senator asks questions with Paparo's response.
In questioning, Paparo expressed his views on the Taiwan Strait issue in response to senators' questions, and the conflict in Ukraine may not have made Chinese mainland abandon military action against Taiwan. He speculated unfounded that Chinese mainland might learn from and act similarly after observing Russia's behavior.
Paparo's critique of China and his policy stance.
At the meeting, Paparo also reiterated the Pentagon's view that the United States will respond to the "pacing challenge" posed by China and will prioritize intelligence reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) missions. Acknowledging China's rapid naval buildup, he stressed that the United States is not lagging behind and will strengthen cooperation with allies and partners.
The attitude of Western countries towards the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Taiwan-related remarks.
While the United States and its allies support Ukraine, Western politicians and ** have compared the Taiwan issue with the Ukrainian issue, trying to contain China with the help of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who even tried to lobby the US side to continue to support Ukraine during his visit to the United States, did not justifiably claim that China is highly concerned about this matter.
China's position on the rhetoric of the West analogues of Ukraine.
China, on the other hand, firmly stated that the Taiwan issue is completely different from the Ukraine issue, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, stressing that the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and does not allow interference by external forces. In response to any "** behavior, China will take firm measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity."