The 2025 DoD China Military Power Report shows China advancing steadily toward Xi Jinping’s 2027 military goals despite leadership purges and industrial disruptions. Beijing is expanding nuclear and conventional strike capabilities, missile systems, and integrated command networks, while preparing for potential Taiwan scenarios from coercion to amphibious invasion. Short-term turbulence from investigations may strengthen long-term discipline, but overall, China’s military modernization and regional reach continue unabated, posing challenges for US and allied deterrence.
Simultaneous disruption and progress, with a relentless Taiwan-focused capability development deadline.
That’s the overriding theme of the 25th edition of the Department of Defense’s China Military Power Report, released on Dec. 23, 2025. Despite extensive leadership purges and ongoing disciplinary investigations across China’s military and defense industry, the 2025 report concludes that China continues to make progress toward General Secretary Xi Jinping’s 2027 “Centennial Military Building Goal” and associated warfighting capabilities against Taiwan. […]
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