According to the latest assessment report on Chinese military strength released by the U.S. Pentagon, China’s military is undergoing a "historic military buildup," making the U.S. homeland "increasingly vulnerable."
According to Bloomberg, this report, authorized by the U.S. Congress, was released on Tuesday (December 23) on the Pentagon’s website and is the first such report issued during Trump’s second term. The report describes the mainland Chinese military as becoming increasingly refined and resilient, maintaining caution in reaching large-scale agreements with the U.S.; meanwhile, as it ramps up pressure on Taiwan, it is also learning lessons from Russia’s setbacks in the Ukraine war.
The report points out that China and Russia are continuing to deepen their strategic partnership, "almost certainly out of shared interests in countering the United States," but there is "mutual distrust" between them, which to some extent constrains such cooperation.
Some experts warn that China has already surpassed the United States in the development of hypersonic weapons. The "Iron Dome" defense system Trump plans to promote is aimed at countering new types of threats including hypersonic weapons, and will also be used to defend against more traditional ballistic missiles.
Some experts warn that China has already surpassed the United States in the development of hypersonic weapons. The "Iron Dome" defense system Trump plans to promote is aimed at countering new types of threats including hypersonic weapons, and will also be used to defend against more traditional ballistic missiles.
The previous edition of this report was released by the Biden administration in December 2024, and at the time warned that China was the only U.S. competitor that "is both intent on and increasingly capable of reshaping the international order." The report also emphasized the challenges posed by China’s "increasing military capabilities."
Meanwhile, Reuters on Monday (December 22) cited a draft Pentagon report stating that China may have deployed over 100 solid-fueled Dongfeng-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles in three newly constructed ICBM silos near the border with Mongolia. Previous U.S. intelligence had only revealed the existence of these silos, without disclosing the number of missiles.
The report does not confirm whether the missiles are aimed at any particular targets, but does mention that Beijing is adjusting its military options and may take Taiwan by force—these options include launching missiles with ranges between 1,500 and 2,000 nautical miles, which, in sufficient numbers, could present serious challenges and disruptions to the United States in regional conflicts in the Asia-Pacific area.