“It seems to us that (the war in Ukraine seen by Beijing) does not really affect the question of whether the Chinese leadership might choose to use force against Taiwan in the next few years, but when and how will they do so” , said the head of the American intelligence agency Bill Burns.
Guest of the Aspen Security Forum, in the United States, he nevertheless put into perspective the risks of President Xi Jinping taking action by the end of the year on Taiwan, while some believe possible. such an outbreak after an important meeting of the ruling Communist Party.
“Such risks seem to us to be growing over the decade,” he said.
Beijing is probably “troubled” watching the war in Ukraine, analyzed the agency’s boss, calling it a “strategic failure” for Vladimir Putin who thought he could overthrow kyiv in a week.
Mr Burns believes that Beijing saw it as proof “that you don’t achieve quick, decisive victories” without throwing sufficient military weight into the battle.
“I think the lesson that Chinese leaders and the military are learning is that it is necessary to bring together a largely dominant force” to win, he said again, also specifying the importance of “control of space information” and preparation for potential economic sanctions.
The head of the CIA also considered, in line with previous statements from Washington, that China, despite its verbal support, does not provide military support to Russia in its war in Ukraine.
The United States is concerned about Beijing’s increased military pressure in recent years against Taiwan, a democratic island that China considers part of its territory and has vowed to take back one day.