Adm. John Aquilino, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, addresses Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., during a press engagement at the Palau Royal Resort. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anthony J. Rivera)
WASHINGTON — The top US military officer in the Indo-Pacific said Russia and China’s growing cooperation is “concerning” and warned the partnership will ultimately result in a “dangerous world,” citing recent combined patrols as well as what he suspects is some level of intelligence assistance offered by Beijing to Moscow regarding the war in Ukraine.
“I’ll use their words. It’s a no limits relationship,” Adm. John Aquilino, the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, said during the Aspen Security Forum on Tuesday. “We’ve seen a lot of things that lead us to believe that it’s truly real, despite their long historical and cultural differences.”
The four-star officer noted the recent combined patrols and exercises in his region both nations have undertaken recently, including one involving Russian bombers landing in China and then proceeding toward Guam with Chinese aircraft accompanying them. Aquilino also said that while he has no evidence that China has provided Russia with “lethal aid” for its war against Ukraine, he does believe China is supporting Russia with intelligence.
“I only see the cooperation getting stronger, and boy, that’s concerning,” he added. “That’s a dangerous world.”
Aquilino is one of several senior officials to sound the alarm about the growing partnership between America’s rivals. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said last week that Beijing views Russia as its “junior partner,” but had been shaken by the Wagner mercenary group’s recent uprising. And just days before that, a senior Japanese diplomat said the partnership is likely here to stay.
“There is also recognition amongst all the players that the Russia-China partnership is going to stay for the foreseeable future,” Tamaki Tsukada, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Japan to the United States, said during an event at the US Institute of Peace on July 11.
Taken collectively, the remarks reflect the growing unease of senior US officials, as well as partners and allies, at the sight of two top adversaries — predominantly seen as the United States’ greatest threats in the European and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility — working collaboratively, even if there’s suspicion Chinese President Xi Jinping is wary of being tied too closely to Russia on the world stage.
Aquilino, whose role as the combatant commander makes him the most senior US military officer in the Indo-Pacific, said he has also been unable to communicate with his Chinese counterparts, an issue multiple US military officials have reported in recent months.
“For two years now, I’ve had a request to speak with each of them,” he said. “My asks have gone either unanswered or refused. We have invited the Chinese chairman to come to our annual chiefs of defense conference [next month]… We have invited, we have not heard” a response.
