“Over the past two decades, the PRC (People's Republic of China) has built a comprehensive sea-denial, anti-access system of sophisticated sensors and long-range precision weapons”, he claimed. “It is also building next-generation strategic missile submarines, erecting hundreds of new missile silos, and growing its cyber and space capabilities".
“Using a multi-layered fleet of naval ships, maritime militia, and coast guard, the PRC is undermining international norms by staking illegal maritime claims, militarising geographic features in the South and East China Seas, and intimidating its neighbours regarding offshore resources”, explained Gilday.
“Additionally, the PRC is extending its global reach with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—leveraging predatory lending practices, aggressive mercantilism backed, and hard military power—to access critical maritime terrain, ports, and waterways”, the American admiral added.
The US and its Pacific partners such as Australia have been increasingly worried about Beijing’s growing reach in the region since the unveiling of the Sino-Solomon Islands security pact last month.