US and China 'will go to war in 2025', American general warns as Taiwan tensions continue

28 January 2023, 20:34

General Minihan addresses Air Force graduates at a US airbase
General Minihan addresses Air Force graduates at a US airbase. Picture: Alamy

By Adam Solomons

The United States and China will go to war over Taiwan in the next two years, a senior American general has predicted amid tensions between the two superpowers.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Air Force General Mike Minihan said Chinese President Xi Jinping will exploit "reason and opportunity" to fight America in 2025.

In a leaked memo seen by the FT, he wrote: "I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me we will fight in 2025.

"Xi secured his third term and [sat] his war council in October 2022. Taiwan’s presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a reason.

“Xi’s team, reason, and opportunity are all aligned for 2025."

Mr Minihan added that the US presidential election in 2024 will create a "distracted America", allowing China to prepare a war effort.

His comments appear to suggest that America would step in to defend Taiwan if it were attacked by China.

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is moored at port in Japan
Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is moored at port in Japan. Picture: Alamy

China has claimed sovereignty of Taiwan since it declared its independence from the mainland in 1949.

The island nation, known as the Republic of China (ROC), has been a democracy for more than 25 years

Its leaders fear a similar fate to China-ruled Hong Kong.

Beijing argues that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

China has sent fighter jets to fly over Taiwan's air defence zone in recent years, an apparent attempt to intimidate the country's politicians out of alignment with America.

A Taiwanese official speaks in front of a screen showing Chinese J-10s in the country's air defence zone
A Taiwanese official speaks in front of a screen showing Chinese J-10s in the country's air defence zone. Picture: Getty

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi became the most prominent American politician to visit Taiwan since the 1990s in mid-2022.

The US State Department insisted Minihan's comments do not represent the nation's policy toward China.

They said the memo was "not representative of the department’s view on China”.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China next week, becoming the first member of Joe Biden's cabinet to do so.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

WASPI women demonstrating on Budget Day outside the Houses of Parliament about the lack of compensation n, Westminister, London, UK, October 30 2024.

Waspi women threaten to sue Government over pension compensation package worth £10.5 billion

Torrential rain falls above the taxi rank at Manchester Victoria Station, Manchester, England, UK. 20th February 2025.

'Danger to life' amber weather warning issued as heavy rain and deep floods set to hit UK

Monumental Pharaoh Thutmose II statues in Karnak Temple.

British archaeologist may have found second tomb of mysterious pharaoh just days after major discovery

French forensic police work on the site of a knife attack where a man is suspected of killing one person and seriously wounding two police officers in Mulhouse, eastern France on February 22, 2025.

Four arrested after one killed and several police officers injured in 'terror attack' in France

Long Row, Nottingham.

16-year-old boy arrested after teenager, 17, stabbed in front of shoppers in Nottingham Primark

Pope is 'still in critical condition'

Pope 'still in critical condition' and participated in Holy Mass with carers amid 'complex clinical picture'

Peter Reynolds, 79 and his wife Barbie, 75 have been arrested by the Taliban.

Retired British couple who run education programmes for mothers arrested by Taliban in Afghanistan

Palestinian children and journalists disperse as Israeli tanks enter the Jenin camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, on February 23, 2025.

Israel deploys tanks to Occupied West Bank for first time in two decades as Palestinians 'won't be allowed' to return

The leader of Germany's Conservative party has claimed victory in federal elections, as the far-right AfD party is on track to double their share of votes since 2021.

Conservative leader claims victory in German elections as far-right AfD come second

Jenny Hall

Body found in search for missing 23-year-old runner Jenny Hall

Long Row, Nottingham.

Boy, 17, stabbed in Nottingham Primark

Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt told LBC that we must invest more in defence to secure peace in Ukraine.

'We have got to wake up' and spend more on defence, says ex-defence secretary Penny Mordaunt

Zelenskyy willing to step down as Ukraine's President 'immediately' if it 'brings peace or Nato membership'

Zelenskyy willing to step down as Ukraine's president 'immediately' if it 'brings peace or Nato membership'

UK Weather, London - 9 February 2020. Storm Ciara brings gale force winds and heavy rain to the London’s West End Theatreland district. Credit: Thamesfleet/Alamy Live News

Fresh amber alert as Met Office issues 'danger to life' warning with UK facing heavy rain and 70mph winds

Homeless asylum seeker starved to death while 'dangling from a London skylight for six days'

Homeless asylum seeker starved to death while 'dangling from skylight for six days'

Destruction in Kryvyi Rih, via The State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk

Russia launches 'aerial terror' on Ukraine, with the biggest drone attack of the war so far