Washington [US], February 5: Kyodo News on February 4, citing several sources, revealed that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the US military considered China as a hypothetical opponent for the first time in their joint command exercises.
The above-mentioned US-Japan joint exercise was simulated on a computer, starting on February 1 and expected to last until February 8, envisioning a state of emergency in Taiwan . Previously, a temporary name was used when referring to the other person.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense is said to have classified this exercise scenario as a special secret according to Japan's secret law. The move reflects a growing sense of urgency amid growing concerns that China could take action against Taiwan in the next few years, amid escalating geopolitical tensions , according to Kyodo News .
About a year ago, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns said that Chinese President Xi Jinping had directed the country's military to be ready to attack Taiwan in 2027, according to Kyodo News. .
The United States and Japan have several joint operational plans for emergencies, with a draft related to Taiwan completed late last year.
The results of this exercise will be reflected in the final plans that will be drafted later this year.
The United States and Japan began conducting joint exercises in 1986. In a press conference on January 25, the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, General Yoshihide Yoshida, affirmed that the current exercises "are not aimed at a particular country or region".
There is currently no information about China's reaction to the above information.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper