US Navy chief stresses Indo-Pacific focus after Biden-Xi meet

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti this week emphasized the military’s focus on the Indo-Pacific during a weeklong visit to the region, which followed a high-profile meeting between President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping earlier this month.

Speaking to reporters during a trip to South Korea, Franchetti — the first female Navy admiral — said the U.S. was prepared to defeat China if needed when asked about Beijing’s military buildup in the South China Sea.