Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, has warned that China’s assertive actions and unlawful claims in the Indo-Pacific region jeopardize regional stability, particularly concerning Taiwan. Speaking at the South China Sea Conference hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Koehler emphasized the US Navy’s commitment to deterring aggression throughout the Western Pacific, including the South China Sea and Taiwan. He noted China’s increasing military deployments and aggressive behavior, including drills simulating an invasion and blockade of Taiwan. Koehler highlighted China’s use of water cannons, ship-to-ship collisions, lasers, and even assaults on Philippine Navy personnel, reflecting a broader pattern of intimidation in the region. The Pacific Fleet, with its significant resources, views the Indo-Pacific as its primary theater of operations, with two carrier strike groups currently active in the area. Tetsuo Kotani of the Japan Institute of International Affairs also addressed the conference, discussing Japan’s efforts to enhance defense collaboration through the “Japan Single Operational Area” concept, which includes the East China Sea, South China Sea, Korean Peninsula, and surrounding waters. He stressed the importance of including Taiwan in regional security frameworks to ensure lasting peace and stability.
