H.R. McMaster: U.S., allies in a ‘very dangerous time’ for China relations amid sorties near Taiwan Former Trump National Security Advisor and retired Army Gen. H.R. McMaster on Monday warned that the U.S. and its allies are entering a “very dangerous time” in their relations with China.
His remarks come amid the Peoples Republic of China’s significant escalation in provocation on Monday flying its largest sortie to date of 58 warplanes inside Taiwan’s air defense zone.
Monday’s flight, which included 12 nuclear-capable bombers, follows similar flights Friday and Saturday, bringing the total of aircraft within Taiwanese airspace to 136 since last week.
Mr. McMaster said that while the flights align with China’s longstanding campaign of coercion against Taiwan, he would not rule out the potential that the flights could signal a buildup toward a more aggressive campaign.
“I wouldn’t discount it,” Mr. McMaster told reporters at a roundtable hosted by the Hudson Institute. “I think that it’s really important for the United States, for Japan, the free world, the European Union to make clear to China that this kind of aggression is unacceptable.”
He said Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently become emboldened after suffering few consequences internationally over his aggressive clampdown in Hong Kong.
He also said China’s actions are in line with other adversaries who have escalated tensions following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which Mr. McMaster said called into question U.S. deterrence capability globally “based on a perception of lack of will.” .............
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/oct/4/hr-mcmaster-china-relations-face-very-dangerous-ti/
