A recent Pentagon report assesses that China’s military is undergoing a “historic military buildup,” increasing vulnerability to the US homeland. This assessment presents a challenge to existing plans regarding limitations on nuclear arsenals involving the US, China, and Russia.
Rising Military Capabilities
The report, mandated by Congress and first issued during the second Trump administration in December 2023, details a Chinese military described as increasingly sophisticated and resilient. It notes China’s reluctance toward large-scale agreements with the US and its observation of lessons learned from Russia’s experiences in Ukraine, particularly as pressure mounts regarding Taiwan.
The report also acknowledges a deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia, “almost certainly driven by a shared interest in countering the United States,” though this cooperation is reportedly hampered by “mutual distrust.” Experts have indicated China is advancing more rapidly than the US in the development of hypersonic weapons. President Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” system is intended to provide defense against these and other emerging threats, alongside traditional ballistic missiles.
Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
A more recent edition, published in December 2024 by the Biden administration, identifies China as the only competitor to the US with both the intention and growing ability to “reshape the international order.” The report stresses the importance of addressing the challenges posed by China’s expanding military capabilities.
Previous iterations of the report, such as one from September 2020 during the first Trump administration, highlighted Beijing’s “determined pursuit of political and social modernity” and its efforts to expand national power and revise the international order.
The report’s release followed the issuance of a National Security Strategy that prioritized the Western Hemisphere and domestic issues over the threat from China. However, the Biden administration’s 2022 National Defense Strategy designated China as the primary “pacing challenge” for the US military in terms of competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the report say about the relationship between China and Russia?
The report notes that China and Russia continue to deepen their strategic partnership, “almost certainly driven by a shared interest in countering the United States,” but that cooperation is hindered by “mutual distrust.”
What is the “Golden Dome” system?
The “Golden Dome” system is a planned defense system proposed by President Trump intended to defend against hypersonic weapons, other innovative threats, and traditional ballistic missiles.
When did this reporting requirement begin?
This report has been required since the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000.
As China continues to modernize its military, how might this influence international alliances and security strategies in the years to come?
