The Command Chief of the Indo-Pacific Command has expressed concerns that the People's Republic of China (PRC) will be prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027. This comes in light of China's decision to increase its military defense budget by 7.2% for the upcoming fiscal year.
Despite a slowing economy, the Chinese government has prioritized increasing its military budget. As reported by the Japan Times, the scale of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is currently at its largest since World War II. Since 2021, the PLA has added more than 400 advanced fighter aircraft and 20 warships to its arsenal, while also more than doubling its inventory of cruise missiles.
China views Taiwan as a province without any right to independence and has threatened to seize control of the island by force if necessary. Amid escalating tensions between Taiwan, China, and the United States, Beijing has intensified combat training around Taiwan in an attempt to instill fear among Taiwanese citizens. According to Aquilino, while Russia and North Korea are threats that need monitoring, it is only China that possesses both the capability and intent to disrupt international order under Xi Jinping's leadership. "All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinping’s directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027," said Aquilino. "The PLA’s actions indicate their ability to meet Xi’s preferred timeline to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed."
In response to rising threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, the United States is making urgent efforts to stay ahead in terms of military and defense spending. Aquilino stated in his Indo-Pacific statement that "The PRC's aggressive military buildup underpins its drive to supplant United States security leadership in the region, enabling the PRC to subjugate Taiwan, exert control over the South China Sea through its excessive maritime claims, and oppress those who believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific. While the PRC military focuses on regional issues, Beijing is setting the stage for a more significant global role through its global society, civilization, and development initiatives."
