About this writes espreso.tv

"All signs point to President Xi Jinping's directive at a meeting with the People's Liberation Army of China to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. The PLA's actions indicate their ability to meet Xi's desired timeline for the unification of Taiwan with mainland China by force, if ordered to do so," Aquilino told the House Armed Services Committee.

According to him, China is building up military and nuclear capabilities that have not been seen since World War II. The admiral also noted that Beijing's official defense budget has grown by 16%, exceeding $223 billion, despite economic problems.

Aquilino claims that in the three years since he took command, the PLA has added 400 fighters and more than 20 large warships. At the same time, the army has doubled its stockpile of ballistic and cruise missiles since 2020.

According to the admiral, the Chinese military has been practicing various tasks related to operations against Taiwan, such as simulating the encirclement of the island with a sea and air blockade.

At the same time, US intelligence believes that China does not want a military conflict over Taiwan, even if it seeks to take control of the island.

According to Mike Rogers, a Republican congressman and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, the PLA is deploying modern systems, such as hypersonic weapons and fifth-generation fighters.

"They can extend their power far into the Pacific with a fleet of 340 ships that includes a new aircraft carrier and nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines," he said.

• On March 11, a senior Taiwanese national security official warned that China is likely to increase pressure on the island both before and after the transfer of power to the new government in May.