Before assuming his current duties as the 26th commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Aquilino was already very vocal on the perceived great power competition between China and the United States. In May, 2018, when assuming duty as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Aquilino issued a warning about growing Chinse ambitions. He warned that “A great power compeition has reemerged as the central challenge to security and prosperity again our nation… Nowhere are the stakes of that great power compeititon higher than here in the Indo-Pacific region.” In December, 2019, Adm. Aquilino said China’s activities in territory it claims in the South China Sea are meant to intimidate other nations in the region, and  China’s actions, including constructing islands in the disputed waters, are inteded to project its military capacity.

Adm. Aquilino’s most recent vocal message on China was his comments on the security situation across the Taiwan Stratis durng his confirmation hearing in March, 2021. During the confirmation hearing, Adm. Aquilino assessed the threat posed by China potentially seizing Taiwan as he commneted that “The most dangerous concern is that of a military force against Taiwan. To combat that, the forward posture west of the international dateline is how adm. Davidson describes it – and I concur with that – forces positioned tobe able to respond quickly, and not just our forces. Those forces combined with the international community, with our allies and partners – those nations with common values. Those two things would position us very strongly for the deterrence required.” Adm. Aquilino’s comment echoes with President Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austion’s emphasis on U.S. international alliance and parternship to address the perceived China threat. Despite emphasizing heavily on the perceived China threat, Adm. Aquilino aslo expressed the need to manage the great power competition with China. During his confirmation hearing, Adm. Aquilino said he will advocate for a direct line of communication with his Chinese counterpart to de-ecalate and manage crises.