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POPS Report: Chinese Ships Confronted USS Kitty Hawk Adm. Timothy Keating, who heads the U.S. Pacific Command, is in Beijing this week to discuss what he has called China’s “perplexing” refusals, its worrisome weapons programs and U.S.-China military ties. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own, vowing to attack the self-ruled island if it moves to formalize its de facto independence. The U.S., Taiwan’s chief security benefactor, is legally obligated to help defend the island in the face of Chinese saber-rattling.