• US Adm. John Aquilino said China’s military is building up at a rate not seen since World War II.
  • That puts it on the path to meeting its goal of being ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, he said.
  • Aquilino, the outgoing head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, urged Washington to accelerate military development.

China’s rapid military build-up is more expansive than anything seen since World War II, which means it’s on track with its 2027 goal to be ready for a Taiwan invasion, said US Navy Adm. John Aquilino.

“All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinping’s directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027,” Aquilino wrote in a testimony to the US Armed Services House Committee.

“Furthermore, the PLA’s actions indicate their ability to meet Xi’s preferred timeline to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed,” added the admiral, the outgoing head of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

  • AliasAKA@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    It is tiny, but far more parity in terms of arms and the whole being an island thing makes it exponentially harder to invade than say, a country you share a a land border with including roads leading you to where you want to go.

    • Filthmontane@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      No it isn’t. They could carpet bomb the whole island in a week. They don’t even need to step foot on Taiwan to conquer it. Their Navy and Air Force is more than enough. But they’d be more likely to just blockade the country and starve everyone.

      That being said, I don’t actually believe China will invade Taiwan. There’s no real incentive. I don’t doubt that they’re expanding their military, but I believe it’s entirely US propaganda intended on selling weapons through fear mongering.