The Pentagon’s 2016 report on Chinese military power says that Chinese military development and deployments are a serious challenge to Taiwan’s security.
The report, out Friday, says that last year’s meeting between President Ma Ying-jeou and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has not led to any change in Chinese military pressure. According to the report, China’s military has pursued a strategy of modernization for many years. It says that Taiwan no longer has the strengths it once used to deter an invasion from China.
However, the report says that Taiwan has taken important steps to address its lowered defense capabilities. These include efforts to build up its combat strength, develop defense industries, and strengthen leadership.
The report says that Taiwan’s defense spending has fallen to around 2% of its GDP, around 14 times less than what China spends on its military. It says that Taiwan’s leaders are addressing the imbalance through research and development and by developing asymmetrical warfare capabilities.
The report reiterates Washington’s adherence to a one China policy and its opposition to any unilateral changes in the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, it says that the US will continue its contributions to peace in the Taiwan Strait, including its sale of defensive weapons to Taiwan.