China “could invade Taiwan in the next three years” and is building its military not seen since World War Two.
Beijing’s decision to expand its armoury puts Xi Jinping on track to mount his invasion of Taiwan by 2027, US Navy Admiral John Aquilino has warned.
He said: “All indications point to the PLA meeting President Xi Jinping's directive to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027.”
Aquilino, who heads up America’s Indo-Pacific Command, added: “Furthermore, the PLA's actions indicate their ability to meet Xi's preferred timeline to unify Taiwan with mainland China by force if directed.”
New soldiers are lining up at the railway station as they prepare to go to their barracks in Liuzhou
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However, Aquilino also warned China still hopes to assimilate Taiwan without war.
Assistant Defense Secretary for the Indo-Pacific Command Ely Ratner echoed concerns about the situation, adding the Pentagon must take measures to move fast to reduce the risk of war.
Washington also warned while Russia and North Korea threaten the region, China is the “only country that has the capability, capacity, and intent to upend the international order”.
Aquilino added: “On a scale not seen since WWII, the PLA's buildup is occurring across land, sea, air, space, cyber, and information domains.”
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President Xi JinpingPAChina has been taking decisive steps to bolster its military, including an additional 400 fighter aircraft and 20 warships.
Beijing has also been increasing its spending on defence, dedicating approximately 16 per cent of its budget to the military.
The figure accounts for over $223billion (£175.95billion).
There has also been an increase in the number of operations conducted in the South China Sea.
U.S. Navy Adm. John C. Aquilino
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Aquilino recommended accelerating plans to deploy systems in Guam which can defend against hypersonic and cruise missiles, bringing the plans forward by two years to 2027.
The Indo-Pacific Command reportedly identified an additional $11billion wish list, with $430million requested for the Guam missile defence system.
Beijing harbours ambitions of taking Taipei but has not yet officially signalled a coming war with Taiwan.
Xi reportedly believes unification is inevitable and refused to rule out assimilating the self-governed island by force.