Top military leaders from the United States and China met last weekend at a forum in Singapore, where they attempted to manage mounting tensions between the superpowers. But throughout Asia, there\u2019s growing fear that China\u2019s drastic military expansion will soon result in Chinese regional military superiority, which could embolden Beijing to start a war over Taiwan.<\/p>\n
That sense of urgency was palpable at last week\u2019s Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual conference of diplomats, officials and experts from across Asia, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. Over three days of discussions a common sentiment emerged: China is racing to become the dominant military power in Asia in the next few years \u2014 and if it succeeds, Beijing is likely to use force to attempt to subdue Taiwan\u2019s democracy. Russia\u2019s attack on Ukraine has dispelled any notion that revisionist dictatorships can be deterred by anything short of a superior opposing military force.<\/p>\n
In recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China plans to achieve military parity with the United States in Asia by 2027. As the Chinese military advances in both technology and territorial presence, leaders in the People\u2019s Liberation Army are now openly threatening to attack Taiwan and promising to fight anyone who attempts to intervene. Beijing is speeding up its plans, and the United States risks falling behind.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n New: China\u2019s military expansion is reaching a dangerous tipping point https:\/\/t.co\/Za7nJ27nVT<\/a><\/p>\n My dispatch from #SLD22<\/a> in Singapore @IISS_org<\/a> @PostOpinions<\/a><\/p>\n — Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) June 16, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n