Admiral John C. Aquilino also reaffirmed America’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific during meetings with allies at the Halifax International Security Forum.
Aquilino said the United States and its allies need to improve interoperability capabilities so that they can work together quickly if needed.
Tensions have risen with the Chinese military sending increasing numbers of combat aircraft near the autonomous island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. And China threatened to use force against it – if necessary – in order to get it back.
This week, Chinese Coast Guard ships also prevented two Philippine boats, carrying supplies, from reaching the disputed shallow waters in the South China Sea.
China effectively claims the entire South China Sea, and has turned some of its islands into missile-protected bases to assert its hegemony, raising tensions and alarming other sides in the dispute.
China has the second largest military budget in the world after the United States, and is also developing submarines, stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.
“They’re working at a very accelerated pace,” Aquilino said.
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