In light of talks between the U.S. and China resuming trade talks concerning the back-and-forth rhetoric on tariffs, the Pentagon has revealed that all of China’s actions might not be on the up-and-up.
The Pentagon released it’s “Annual Report to Congress,” which tackles the topic of “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2018” recently. The report says that China is “likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets.”
According to Fox News:
Overall, the report found that China wants to leverage its economic, diplomatic and strategic strength to “establish regional preeminence and expand the country’s international influence.”
Militarily, the report said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been developing capabilities in “overwater bomber operating areas” and is “gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets.”
This is part of a broader commitment to strengthening the PLA so it can operate farther away from China.
News of China’s hope to expand their military capabilities in a more global fashion comes just one day after the Chinese Ministry said that they’re sending a delegation, led by Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, to engage in talks about “economic trade issues of mutual concern,” the ministry said in a statement, according to the Los Angeles Times.
President Trump has attempted to back China into a corner about trade restrictions that mostly benefit the government of China.
The encouraging and discouraging news just feeds into the topsy-turvy relationship the U.S. has had with China over the years.