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China military’s inroads make US defence of Guam ‘top priority’ in Pacific, top Pentagon officials say
- Congress hears plea for more funding, speed and capability to protect strategically vital American territory as PLA enhances its missile technology
- Pentagon seeks some US$400 million to help defend Guam, which would likely play a key role in any invasion of Taiwan
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Mark Magnierin New York
The growing sophistication and range of Chinese missile technology further from its shores has made the defence of Guam a top priority for the US Navy in the Pacific as Beijing becomes increasingly aggressive in the waters around Taiwan and the South China Sea, top Pentagon officials told Congress on Wednesday.
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The call for more funding, speed and capability comes as the People’s Republic of China invests in air-to-air missiles able to strike far beyond visual range as well as in conventionally armed intercontinental missiles and an increased number of nuclear warheads as part of the People’s Liberation Army’s burgeoning capabilities.
Guam’s defence system “is certainly the top priority”, Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, testified before the House Armed Services Committee.
“I’ve articulated the requirement … which is a 360-degree, integrated air-and-missile defence capability for Guam that would protect our citizens and protect the forces that we need, and that includes ballistic, hypersonic and cruise-missile threats.”
The Pentagon is asking Congress for some US$400 million to help defend the US territory, which would likely play a key role in any invasion of Taiwan. Guam is located about 1,800 miles (3,000km) from mainland China’s Fujian province.
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