US Pacific Command Admiral Ready for War with China, But Hopes It Won’t Happen

• US Pacific Command Admiral Ready for War with China, But Hopes It Won’t Happen
  by https://www.rt.com/
  The next US ambassador to Australia and the current Pacific Command (PACOM) Admiral Harry Harris addressed Congress with a hardline proposal to deter China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
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  In his speech, Harris commended regional non-NATO ally Australia for its role as a hub for PACOM’s military prowess in the Pacific Ocean. “Australia is one of the keys to a rules-based international order,” he asserted, signalling that the country would play an increasing part in America’s new doctrine.
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  “China’s ongoing military buildup, advancement, and modernization are core elements of their strategy to supplant the U.S. as the security partner of choice for countries in the Indo-Pacific, but China also holds clear global ambitions,” Harris continued.
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  “At the end of the day the ability to wage war is important or you become a paper tiger. [We will] cooperate where we can, but remain ready to confront where we must,” he remarked. “I’m hopeful that it won’t come to a conflict with China, but we must all be prepared for that if it should come to that.”
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  However, Harris’ rhetoric may not be so well-received, as Canberra’s interests remain intrinsically linked to the Chinese.
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  “[We] have a staunch, strong ally in Washington, a good friend in Washington, and we have a very good friend in Beijing,” Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull stated in a joint press conference with his Chinese counterpart back in March last year.
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