The Pentagon said China adopted \u2018more dangerous, coercive and provocative\u2019 actions in the Indo-Pacific this year \u2014 as well as \u2018risky\u2019 intercepts against U.S. aircraft in the region.<\/p>\n
The Department of Defense released its annual report on China\u2019s military power this week, warning that the People\u2019s Republic of China views its \u2018no limits\u2019 partnership with Russia as \u2018integral\u2019 to advancing its development and emergence as a \u2018great power.\u2019<\/p>\n
China aims to become a \u2018national power\u2019 and achieve \u2018the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation\u2019 by 2049, the Pentagon said.<\/p>\n
Officials said the People\u2019s Republic of China is \u2018the only competitor to the United States with the intent and, increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international order.\u2019<\/p>\n
In order to achieve the \u2018great rejuvenation,\u2019 the report states China\u2019s strategy is a \u2018determined pursuit of political, social, and military modernity to expand the PRC\u2019s national power, perfect its governance, and revise the international order in support of the PRC\u2019s system of governance and national interests.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018The PRC views the United States as deploying a whole-of-government effort meant to contain the PRC\u2019s rise, which presents obstacles to its national strategy,\u2019 the report states.<\/p>\n
The report also warns that the PRC has adopted \u2018more dangerous, coercive and provocative actions in the Indo-Pacific region.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018For example, between the fall of 2021 and fall of 2023, the United States documented over 180 instances of PLA coercive and risky air intercepts against U.S. aircraft in the region,\u2019 the report states. \u2018Over the same period, the PLA also conducted around 100 instances of coercive and risky operational behavior in the air domain against U.S. allies and partners.\u2019<\/p>\n
China is also strengthening its \u2018strategic deterrent,\u2019 and is working to modernize, diversify and expand its nuclear forces, the report states. It is also working to develop its cyberspace, space and counter space capabilities.<\/p>\n
As for China\u2019s ambitions in Taiwan, the Pentagon said the PLA last year increased \u2018provocative and destabilizing actions in and around the Taiwan Strait, including ballistic missile overflights of Taiwan, increased flights into Taiwan\u2019s self-declared air defense identification zone, and large-scale simulated joint blockade and simulated joint firepower strike operations.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Pentagon also warned of China\u2019s \u2018no limits\u2019 partnership with Russia, saying Beijing views that relationship as \u2018integral to advancing the PRC\u2019s development and emergence as a great power.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Nevertheless, Beijing has attempted a discreet approach to providing material support to Russia for its war against Ukraine,\u2019 the report states.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the report states that China\u2019s PLA has \u2018largely denied, cancelled and ignored recurring bilateral U.S.-PRC military-to-military engagements and DOD requests for communication at multiple levels.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018DOD is committed to maintaining open lines of communication with the PRC to ensure competition does not veer into conflict,\u2019 the report states.<\/p>\n
The Pentagon said that while it continues to monitor China\u2019s evolving military strategy, the United States, along with allies and partners, \u2018will continue to urge the PRC to be more transparent about its military modernization program.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018The Department remains focused on the operational concepts, capabilities and resources necessary for meeting this pacing challenge,\u2019 the report states.<\/p>\n