Washington’s main objective in the disputed region is “to prevent war” through deterrence and promote peace and stability, including by engaging American allies and partners in projects with that objective, Aquilino said.
“Should deterrence fail, my second mission is to be prepared to fight and win,” said Aquilino, who leads the largest U.S. combatant command with 380,000 military and civilian personnel covering 36 nations and territories.
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-03-20/ap-exclusive-us-admiral-says-china-fully-militarized-isles
(Hervorhebung von mir)
Währenddessen unverhohlene Drohungen Richtung Peking.