On Thursday, US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that China poses "the most significant threat" to his country's security and economy, stressing the need for Washington to be vigilant to this threat.

He added during the activities of the Aspen Security Forum in Washington that "China's intent to one day take over Taiwan either peacefully or through military means has a most serious impact on our economic security of this country."

Del Toro continues to describe China as the US' "number one threat that we have to pay attention to, that doesn't mean that we don't take our eyes off the many other threats that exist, including those presented by Russia, Iran, and North Korea," adding that despite these threats "China is unquestionably the most significant.

"China has 17 shipyards: Last year they built 20 warships [and] this year they're building another 20 ships. I'm concerned we need to build more ships," Del Toro said.

Del Toro also expressed confidence that Congress is recognizing the challenge posed by Chinese naval expansion to the US, and that it will approve increased funds, including building more destroyers and building the existing Zumwalt-class warship programs to carry hypersonic weapons.

Biden: the US will defend Taiwan

It is noteworthy that US President Joe Biden said that the United States will militarily defend self-ruled Taiwan from any possible attack from Beijing, while China asked the US to act cautiously over Taiwan.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden warned that China is the most serious competitor to the United States, which must work to confront its expansion in the American economy.