“It seems to us that (the war in Ukraine seen by Beijing) does not really affect the question of whether Chinese leaders might choose to use force against Taiwan in the coming years, but when and how they will do so,” CIA chief. Bill Burns said Wednesday.
Invited to the Aspen Security Forum in the United States, however, he put into perspective the risks of President Xi Jinping taking action on Taiwan at the end of the year, while some believe such an outbreak is possible after an important meeting of the communist ruling party. Party.
“Such risks appear to us to be growing over the decade,” he said.
A “strategic failure” for Russia
Beijing is probably “concerned” about the war in Ukraine, the agency’s chief analyzed, calling it a “strategic failure” for Vladimir Putin, who thought he could topple Kyiv in a week.
Bill Burns believes that Beijing saw it as proof “that quick and decisive victories cannot be achieved” without bringing sufficient military weight to the battle.
“I think the lesson that Chinese leaders and the military are learning is that you need to assemble a majority dominant force” to win, he said again, also specifying the importance of “control of space information” and preparation for possible economic sanctions.
The CIA chief also considered, in line with previous statements from Washington, that China, despite its verbal support, does not provide military support to Russia in its war in Ukraine. The United States is concerned about Beijing’s increased military pressure in recent years against Taiwan, a democratic island that China considers part of its territory and has vowed to one day reclaim.
Source: BFM TV
