US military 'ready for any contingency' on Taiwan: Commander

By Kasim Ileri and Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) – The US military is prepared for any possible situation regarding Taiwan, Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDO-PACOM), said Tuesday, stressing he is responsible for preventing a conflict with China.

"The United States military is ready today for any contingency," Aquilino said during a hearing of the House Committee on Armed Services.

He said it is necessary to work to deter Beijing without fueling the conflict with China, adding "we must act with a greater sense of urgency every day.”

"INDO-PACOM works tirelessly to prevent conflict, not provoke it. War is not inevitable, and it's not imminent," he added.

In response to a question on whether Beijing will attempt to, by force, seek reunification with Taiwan before 2027, Aquilino said 2027 was implied by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"For me, it doesn't matter what the timeline is. the secretary has given me this mission today, so I'm responsible to prevent this conflict today," he added, referring to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.