21.   But Burns reiterated the US view that the military exercises were not a prelude to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

22.   But he reiterated the US view that the military exercises was not a prelude to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

23.   But the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he believed a Chinese invasion would falter because its outdated navy would fail to rise to the occasion.

24.   But the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he believes a Chinese invasion would be doomed to failure.

25.   The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he believed a Chinese invasion would falter because its outdated navy would fail to rise to the occasion.

26.   The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he believed a Chinese invasion would falter because its navy was outdated.