US ‘in danger of losing Cold War 2.0’ after ‘American scientists helped China’s military,’ says ex-Air Force officer
THE US risks losing an ideological conflict against China that's being dubbed Cold War 2.0, a former US Air Force officer has warned.
Brigadier General Robert Spalding III (Ret.) told The Sun that the next ten years will be critical as China threatens America's status as the world's dominant superpower.
Another $230billion is set to be plowed into China’s military this year as the state’s Ministry of Finance revealed defense spending will rise by 7.1 percent – its fastest growth since 2019.
Premier Li Keqiang vowed to “move faster” to modernize the military’s logistics and build modern weaponry, reported.
Beijing boasts the world’s largest navy and has the third-largest aviation force.
Commentators say the US and China are locked in a hypersonic missile race – claims that Spalding disputes.
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He said: “I don’t know that there’s a rivalry because China is so far ahead. It’s not even anywhere close.”
For years, Beijing tried to lure scientists working in America who were linked to military research, according to the
Researchers were allegedly involved in included hypersonic weapon programs and the design of high-tech subs that could patrol the West Coast.
China has aspirations to become the world’s dominant superpower by 2049 but Spalding believes Beijing has already achieved that goal.
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He says that the US and China are locked in an ideological conflict between freedom and authoritarianism, described as Cold War 2.0.
The original Cold War was a state of geopolitical tension that erupted between the US and the Soviet Union following World War II.
Spalding added: “The US is currently losing Cold War 2.0, but the next ten years will be critical.
“There is going to be this ideological narrative that’s going to be fought in the cyber realm.”
He warned: “If you see the rise of authoritarianism in the west, then you could very well see a world where China is the dominant power.”
GOP Senator Marco Rubio told a Heritage Foundation event: “Beijing’s military might, ideological challenge to democracy, technological ambitions, and influence over the global market pose an even more serious and systematic threat than the Soviet Union ever did.”
The politician previously said China’s goal is to “rise at the expense” of the US.
Spalding warned that officials in Washington have privately accepted that Taiwan will become part of China.
'ACCEPTED THEIR FATE'
He predicted that pro-Beijing forces could launch an invasion within five years.
He said: “We have to recognize that China has the most powerful military in the Indo-Pacific region and at any time, it can move into Taiwan."
China sees Taiwan as a province that will eventually be returned to mainland rule but the island maintains its independence.
The US recognized Taiwan for 30 years but changed its strategy in 1979 when Washington established diplomatic relations with the mainland Chinese Communist government.
Spalding says Beijing is decoupling its economy before launching an attack.
He added: “The Chinese want to be able to have an economic relationship that’s not subject to dollar diplomacy meaning it can’t be cut off from the US financial system.”
Chen Ming-tong, head of the Taiwan national security bureau, claims Beijing won’t launch an invasion until Tsai Ing-wen’s presidential term ends in 2026.
He told “The lesson of Ukraine for Beijing is that it should not easily wage a war.”
He warned that a potential conflict would be “comprehensive”.
'DISASTROUS' CONFLICT
And, the island’s defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said: “Nobody wants a war. It really has to be thoroughly thought over.”
“If you really went to war, it would be disastrous for all.”
But, Taiwan is reportedly considering extending its four-month compulsory military service amid rising tensions.
Around 200,000 people serve in the island’s military, with most being volunteers.
Meanwhile, Beijing continues to ramp up its war games.
A silo complex in Xinjiang spans 800 square kilometers while officials are said to be investigating the potential of a “train” that would transport nukes around the country.
Officials hope the weapons would be harder to spot or track.
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Dr. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, said the US is working with “like-minded partners” to maintain peace and stability on the Taiwan Strait.
Ratner claimed: “We have made significant progress with Taiwan in aligning priorities for defense cooperation and our provision of defensive arms and services with our shared understanding of the threat.”
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