South China Sea warning: Former admiral says US must intervene to stop China from invading Taiwan

Control over parts of the South China Sea is not the only issue that many nations have with China, as the situation with Taiwan is also what other countries are monitoring. A former Taiwanese admiral has warned that the US must intervene and stop China from potentially invading the island nation.

A piece for NBC’s Think column co-written by former Taiwanese admiral Lee Hsi-min and Project 2049 Institute research associate Eric Lee called on the US to intervene in the situation between China and Taiwan. Even as Taiwan and the US have diplomatic ties, China claims the island nation as a breakaway province and looks to reunite Taiwan with the mainland. The US has been more vocal towards its support for Taiwan’s independence as well as other nations surrounding the South China Sea.

The former chief of the general staff of Taiwan’s armed forces said that the US must bring together its allies in targeting China’s vulnerabilities to keep China from succeeding in invading Taiwan. Lee also advised that the US prepare stockpiles of arms for Taiwan to be better prepared in case of war. Lee warned that there is a very real possibility that China may decide to invade Taiwan.

“Should the Communist Party’s aggression continue to escalate, an all-out attack on Taiwan could become likely, with economic and military consequences that could shake the world,” wrote the former military official. “The question is not whether the United States should defend Taiwan during war but how to prevent war in the first place,”

“Now is the time to strengthen US-Taiwan security cooperation to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait.”

This follows reports that suggest that China is likely considering taking over Taiwan by force, raising more concerns of a possible military conflict. Recently, Chinese warplanes were seen making an incursion over Taiwanese airspace for what looks like the fourth time this month. The incursion has set off alarms, and the Taiwanese military activated its air defense missile system and launching aircrafts.

Taiwan has also broadcast radio warnings to the warplanes. Shortly after the incursion, the Taiwanese government blasted the incident, calling it “unnecessary” and “thoughtless.”