US military 'ready for any contingency' on Taiwan: Commander

The US military is prepared for any possible situation regarding Taiwan, Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDO-PACOM), said Tuesday, stressing he is responsible for preventing a conflict with China.

"The United States military is ready today for any contingency," Aquilino said during a hearing of the House Committee on Armed Services.

He said it is necessary to work to deter Beijing without fueling the conflict with China, adding "we must act with a greater sense of urgency every day.”

"INDO-PACOM works tirelessly to prevent conflict, not provoke it. War is not inevitable, and it's not imminent," he added.[AA]