Exclusive: China's military arsenal growing at "breathtaking speed," Sen. Deb Fischer says

• "China has advanced at a breathtaking speed when it comes to their platforms and their weapons," Fischer told Axios' Colin Demarest in Washington, D.C. "And they surprise us."
• "They are growing and they are advancing," she said when asked whether she views China as a peer.

Context: Fischer is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and has prioritized legislation on deterrence.

• On Wednesday, she said China and Russia are "peer competitors" of the U.S. She also mentioned Iran and North Korea.

Zoom out: Fischer traveled to Taiwan in late August and subsequently called on her colleagues to deepen U.S. relations with the self-governed island.

• "For decades, our partnership with Taiwan has been anchored in democracy, freedom, and economic opportunity," she said in September. "Today, it is equally defined by innovation and resilience. A stronger Taiwan means a stronger United States — and vice versa."

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Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say Fischer described China and Russia as "peer competitors" ( not "pure competitors") of the U.S.