China’s testing of hypersonic weapons has caused controversy in the region, says a US security official

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said China’s development and testing of the hypersonic weapon had exacerbated tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and emphasized why China was so vulnerable to American troops.

“We know that China tested a hypersonic weapon on the 27th of July,” Austin said in his first confirmation of the tests previously reported by the Financial Times.

“We will continue to have the capacity to protect ourselves and avoid a number of threats from the PRC to us and our allies,” he added during his visit to Seoul.

China aircraft a hypersonic glide car – adjustable ship that travels more than five times the speed of noise – on orbital rocket system, indicating the potential to hit any part of the US with nuclear weapons. HGV launched the missile as it flew across the South China Sea, revealing a force that shocked the Pentagon due to the difficulty of firing a projectile as it flew fast.

Austin was speaking with Suh Wook, a South Korean counterpart, after discussing the annual state of hostilities between the two countries. The discussion included General Mark Milley, chairman of the United States executive committee.

In a joint statement, Austin and Suk acknowledged the “importance of maintaining peace and order in the Taiwan Strait”. The speech echoed remarks made by President Moon Jae-in and President Joe Biden in May, highlighting the growing concern in the region over the growing Chinese war in Taiwan.

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former hawkish prime minister, also said this on Wednesday Tokyo would support the US during a confrontation with China over Taiwan over Beijing’s occupation. China sees Taiwan as part of its sovereign state.

China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the Japanese ambassador to protest, saying Abe had provided “unsupportive assistance” to Taiwan’s independent military.

Xi Jinping, President of China, told Biden last month that anyone supporting non-governmental organizations in Taiwan would be. “playing with fire”.

South Korea’s security ministry has refused to say whether the country, allied with US security, will help protect Taiwan in the Chinese war.

US and South Korean officials also discussed North Korea and agreed to begin reorganizing any possible military action. Austin said the allies also reaffirmed their view that Pyongyang “continues to develop its own weapons and weapons programs that threaten the security of the region”.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced his nuclear ambitions in January, which included intelligent weapons, long-range nuclear weapons and hypersonic weapons. North Korea also tested a submarine and a submarine. In September, he confessed tried a new hypersonic weapon which said it could send nuclear weapons over long distances.

Milley and Austin also discussed South Korea’s long-term goal of controlling the country’s armed forces. The US has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.

Seoul has also been pushing for Washington to help announce the end of the Korean War, which ended in a 1953 war. .

The US was pleased with the idea but did not offer all its support because it did not see the benefits it could bring, especially as it was difficult for North Korea to negotiate its nuclear program.

Follow Demetrius Bishop and Christian Davies on Twitter: @twill and @crsdavies