China’s military is rapidly modernizing and improving its strength

China’s military is rapidly modernising and improving its strength. Now, a worrying new report has revealed just how far it’s willing to go.

The US has warned China’s rapid military gains could have dangerous consequences for the rest of the world, particularly Taiwan.

As tensions between Beijing and Washington continue to rise, the Pentagon has published a new report warning of a possible attack on the smaller island nation.

“Beijing’s longstanding interest to eventually compel Taiwan’s reunification with the mainland and deter any attempt by Taiwan to declare independence has served as the primary driver for China’s military modernisation,” said the agency’s report, titled “China’s Military Power”.

In a written introduction accompanying the report, the US Defence Intelligence Agency’s director, General Robert Ashley, said China is using a number of means to bolster its military capabilities.

“China shifted funds and efforts to acquiring technology by any means available. Domestic laws forced foreign partners of Chinese-based joint ventures to release their technology in exchange for entry into China’s lucrative market, and China has used other means to secure needed technology and expertise,” General Ashley said.

TAIWAN UNDER THREAT

Beijing’s leaders have made it clear that reasserting sovereignty over Taiwan is a top priority.

Speaking to reporters, a senior defence intelligence official said on Tuesday that the key concern is that as China upgrades its military equipment and technology and reforms how it trains and develops troops, it becomes more confident in its ability to wage a regional conflict.

China still sees democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949.

“The biggest concern is that … they are getting to a point where the PLA leadership may actually tell Xi Jinping that they are confident in their capabilities,” they said, according to Reuters.

But the official added that, although China could easily fire missiles at Taiwan, it doesn’t yet have the military capability to successfully invade the self-governing island, which split from mainland China amid civil war in 1949.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to provide more detail on intelligence findings in the report.

The US has warned China’s rapid military gains could have dangerous consequences for the rest of the world, particularly Taiwan.Source:AFP

China spends significantly less than the $US700 billion ($A977 billion) invested in its army last year, but the report notes Beijing enjoys an advantage because “China has not had to invest in costly R&D of new technologies to the same degree as the United States”.

It said: “Rather, China has routinely adopted the best and most effective platforms found in foreign militaries through direct purchase, retrofits, or theft of intellectual property. By doing so, China has been able to focus on expediting its military modernisation at a small fraction of the original cost.”

The report also warned China’s striking capabilities could extend as far as Guam, where the US has military installations.

“China has built or acquired a wide array of advanced platforms” including submarines, major surface combat ships, missile patrol craft, Maritime Strike aircraft and land-based systems that employ new, sophisticated anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles.

“China also has developed the world’s first roadmobile, anti-ship ballistic missile, a system specifically designed to attack enemy aircraft carriers.

“China’s leaders hope that possessing these military capabilities will deter pro-independence moves by Taiwan or, should deterrence fail, will permit a range of tailored military options against Taiwan and potential third-party military intervention.”

XI WILL NOT RULE OUT RECLAIMING TAIWAN

Earlier this month, Xi Jinping warned China will not rule out the threat of military action to reclaim Taiwan.

In one of his most noteworthy addresses on the issue of Taiwan since he came to power, the Chinese President said the smaller island would enjoy peace and an independent system of governance under Beijing’s “one country, two systems” model.

“Different systems are not an obstacle to unification, and even less are they an excuse for separatism,” he said in a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of a message sent to Taiwan in 1979, in which Beijing called for unification and an end to military confrontation.

“The private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of our Taiwanese compatriots will be fully assured.”

Xi Jinping warned China will not rule out the threat of military action to reclaim Taiwan.

The speech was less aggressive than the one he gave in March last year, in which Mr Xi said: “Not a single inch of our land will be and can be ceded from China.”

But he still threatened against any efforts to promote the island’s independence and said China would not renounce the option of using military force to bring it into the fold.

“China must and will be united … which is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people in the new era,” Mr Xi said.

“We make no promise to give up the use of military force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means” against Taiwanese separatist activities and “outside forces” that interfere with reunification, he said.

In his speech, Mr Xi described unification under a “one country, two systems” approach that would “safeguard the interests and wellbeing of Taiwanese compatriots”.

“Reunification is the historical trend and the right path,” he said. “Taiwan independence is … a dead end.”