Biden defense chief dubs China the ‘pacing threat’ amid ascendancy – By Brittany De Lea (FOX Business) / January 19 2021
Ret. Gen. Lloyd Austin said China is aiming to be the world’s preeminent power
Ret. Gen. Lloyd Austin – who is Biden’s choice to lead the U.S. Department of Defense – named China as the United States’ most significant foreign competitor.
During his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Austin characterized China as a “pacing threat,” which refers to a competitor making significant progress toward challenging U.S. defense strategy.
“China … presents the most significant threat going forward because China is ascending,” Austin explained. “Russia is also a threat, but it is in decline.”
Austin said that over the last 20 years China has modernized its military and employed aggressive and occasionally coercive behavior against U.S. allies in the region.
CONTINUE > https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/biden-defense-chief-china-pacing-amid-ascendancy
