Military official warns war with China could be on the horizon - Fact Check Team

In a memo, Air Force General Michael A. Minihan warned troops that war with China is on the horizon — possibly as soon as 2025.

A major concern — and potential trigger — is whether China will invade Taiwan and in September, President Joe Biden said that the U.S. would defend Taiwan if that were to happen.

Tensions between the two counties have been mounting for some time and rose even higher after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan because China viewed that as the U.S. picking a side. As a result, there was an increase in Chinese military activity.

Just one day after the trip, China rehearsed a blockade by firing missiles and sending battleships and warplanes to six strategically important locations on all sides of the main island.

The memo says Taiwan and U.S. elections could play a big role. In Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election, voters will be asked to choose between a party that supports China or the democratic progressive party that resists China’s authority. The memo also says that the U.S. presidential race will offer China a “distracted America” because our focus will be on elections.

The Pentagon, however, doesn’t share the same view. A U.S. defense official said that the general’s comments “are not representative of the Department’s view on China.” Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also said he “seriously doubted” China’s increased military activity means a Taiwan invasion is imminent.

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