China's drills appear to be 'rehearsal' for Taiwan invasion: U.S. admiral

TOKYO -- China's recent military exercises surrounding Taiwan "looked like a rehearsal" for an invasion, U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo told Nikkei on Wednesday, stressing the importance of solidarity among the U.S., Japan and their partners to enhance deterrence against Beijing.

Adm. Paparo became the top military official in the Indo-Pacific Command in early May and oversees day-to-day operations of U.S. joint forces in the region.