- James Stavridis – former commander of NATO troops – indicates signals that may announce an armed conflict between the USA and China
- An important signal are China cyber attacks on American critical infrastructure, including using Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon programs
- China intensifies actions against Taiwan, and also conduct numerous actions in the South China Sea
- You can find more such texts on Onet's main page
“Are we heading towards a hot war with China?” The author of the analysis asked the question. And he replied to them, emphasizing that so many signs have never indicated the proximity of true armed conflict. He replaced five warning signals, which – as he noted – for now glow yellow, but not subjected to strict monitoring can in a moment light in red.
China cyber attacks on the USA
As the first warning signal, James Stavridis replaced the recurring cyberrataki from China for American critical infrastructure. Among others using Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon programs. The first is directed mainly against ports and airports, the second threatens American telecommunications. “If the scope and consequences of cyber attacks increase, the risk of a broader war will increase proportionally,” writes the expert.
Taiwan in China's crosshairs
Another sign is intensified China's actions against Taiwan. In 2024, approx. 3 thousand incidents of China invasion of the Taiwanese air defense identification zone. This may indicate the desire to take control of Taipei, and thus provoke the United States.
Operations in the South China Sea
According to the expert, the powerful indicator of the potential conflict between the US and China is the level of Operation of the Chinese Navy and coast guard in the Central South China Sea and around it. China takes a number of actions, e.g. artificial islands as bases for their navy. They are used, among others to harass the coastal countries, especially the Philippines.
Growing number of ships
Stavridis drew attention to the growing power of the Chinese Navy. The country of XI Jinping builds ships at a dizzying pace, and the current fleet, in terms of the number of combat ships, is greater than American. It is over 360 ships compared to about 300 in the US, and the war between two powers can be fought largely at sea.
Trade war
The expert found the last indicator to be the worst. This is the one we are just watching: customs war. “It is worth remembering how World War II began in the Pacific: from commercial sanctions that cut off Japan from key resources – especially oil, steel and rubber,” reminds James Stavridis in a column for Bloomberg.
