“I hope I’m wrong,” Air Mobility Command chief General Mike Minihan told leaders of some 110,000 members. “My intuition tells me we will fight the Chinese in 2025.”
The general’s point of view is not representative of the Pentagon’s position, but it shows how the US military leadership is evaluating a possible attempt by China to gain control of Taiwan, which China still considers its territory. Both Taiwan and the United States will hold presidential elections in 2024, at which time China could potentially act.
Other point of view
A representative of the US Department of Defense stressed that the ministry clearly thinks otherwise. However, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said it was doubtful whether China’s increased military activity around Taiwan was reason to expect an invasion.
In recent years, China has increased diplomatic, military and economic pressure on Taiwan to force the island into subordination. The Taiwanese government says it wants peace, but also that the island will defend itself if attacked.