World War 3: China training for AIRSTRIKES against US targets in Pacific, Pentagon warns
CHINA is training for airstrikes against American and allied targets in the Pacific and may be gearing up to invade Taiwan, according to a shocking report from US military intelligence chiefs.
By SIMON OSBORNE
Express.co.uk
Fri, Aug 17, 2018
The Pentagon report warns Beijing has boosted its ability to send bombers further afield and highlights the country’s beefed up military capability and its £150bn defence budget.
And there also fears the Asian superpower’s rocket programme could be a cover for some kind of futuristic “star wars” military project in space.
The US report says: “Over the last three years, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets.”
US officials behind the document – the Pentagon’s annual report to Congress – say it is not clear what China is trying to prove by such flights but suggest the PLA is keen to demonstrate the “capability to strike US and allied forces and military bases in the western Pacific Ocean, including Guam,”.
China is transforming its ground forces to “fight and win”, it is warned.
Pentagon’s report says: “The purpose of these reforms is to create a more mobile, modular, lethal ground force capable of being the core of joint operations.”
The document also warns that China “is likely preparing for a contingency to unify Taiwan with China by force”.
It says: “Should the United States intervene, China would try to delay effective intervention and seek victory in a high-intensity, limited war of short duration.”
The report comes at a time of continuing friction between Beijing and Washington despite contact between military officials to defuse the rising tensions.
Beijing has said it is necessary for the Asian powerhouse to keep growing its military presence in the South China Sea in order to protect its sovereignty.
China and several neighbouring countries have been locked in a bitter and long-running dispute over who controls territories in the South China Sea, a region rich in natural resources.
Beijing has claims over most of the territories, but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim they have a stake in the region.
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