US Navy says China may invade Taiwan by 2024

China’s president recently said he wants peaceful reunification, but is “never going to give up the use of force.”

US Navy Chief Mike Gilde said on Wednesday (October 19, 2022) that US forces must prepare for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan before 2024.

Debates on the topic intensified in the country last year when Indo-Pacific Command chief Philip Davidson told the US Congress that the invasion could happen before 2027.

“We are talking about the 2027 window, but in my mind it should be the 2022 window or 2023.”, said Gilday Think tank Atlantic Council.

“It’s not just President Xi [Jinping] says, but that’s how the Chinese behave and what they do. What we have seen in the last 20 years is that they have delivered on all their promises ahead of schedule.“, he added.

On Monday (October 17), US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the Asian power “It was decided to proceed with the reunification on a much faster timeline“More than expected.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and rejects international protests for the island’s independence. Recently, it has increased its military presence on the island.

Chinese President Xi Jinping during his opening speech at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party in Beijing on Sunday (October 16), China “Never abandon the use of force” About Taiwan. At the same time, he said he would fight for reunification “Quiet with great sincerity and great effort”.

The US Congress is about to pass legislation to fund arms sales to Taiwan. The plan calls for a release of US$10 billion, but there is no date to analyze yet.