On March 1, 2024, the Financial Times ran a high-profile interview in which Milley, the former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued a high-profile warning. He made it clear that American politicians should not keep threatening war with China, because the reality is that very few Americans are willing to get involved in a war with China. Milley stressed that China has built a powerful military with its strong economic strength, and although there is a technological gap with the United States, this is not enough for American politicians to say that "the United States can crush the middle team and win the war." Milley's warning was meaningful and sparked widespread discussion and reflection.
In the interview, Milley once again called on the U.S. Congress to increase investment in the military and upgrade the military's technology and equipment to resist China's growing military strength. He pointed out that China's development speed is astonishing, and if the United States does not pay attention to it, the gap between the Chinese and US militaries will gradually narrow, and the international order and alliance system dominated by the United States will also face the risk of being replaced by China. Despite his retirement, Milley, as a retired general, is still mindful of his responsibilities and once again urges American politicians to recognize the importance of the strength of the military itself, and only by ensuring the strength of the American team can the United States safely survive the current challenges.
The interview revealed Milley's unique insights as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. military. During the Trump era, he aggressively defended the modest border between the Chinese and American militaries, trying to avoid the danger of open conflict between the two sides. He even communicated directly with the Chinese side at the critical moment when Trump planned to launch a nuclear strike on China, indicating that the US military did not support this move. This resolute and calm move demonstrated Milley's extraordinary courage and wisdom as a military leader.
Milley showed a deep understanding and respect for China in the interview. He not only studied the current situation and establishment system of the squadron, but also deeply studied the way of thinking of the Chinese, and extensively read the works of important Chinese figures such as ***. This kind of in-depth study of China has enabled him to more objectively assess the military strength and competition between China and the United States, and has provided an important reference for the United States to formulate a more pragmatic China policy.
Milley's warning is not only an appeal to American politicians, but also a friendly reminder to China. In the face of the challenges and pressures of the United States, China should continue to maintain its own steady pace of development and continuously improve its national defense capabilities to ensure its development interests. In international competition, military strength has always been an important support for ensuring national independence and security, and China should maintain a high degree of vigilance and unswervingly follow its own path to achieve the country's long-term development goals.
In short, Milley's remarks have provoked deep reflection on China-US relations and the international landscape. As a retired general, his warnings and recommendations not only affect current military policy, but also have an important impact on the future international situation. In the face of changes in the global landscape, all countries should adopt a calm and rational attitude to jointly safeguard international peace and stability and promote the building of a bright future for a community with a shared future for mankind.