Beyond Assessing the Chinese Military: Seeking Answers to the China Threat Question

Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping (front-C) and Chinese and foreign naval officials at a group photo during an event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong Province, on April 23, 2019.Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Having conducted over 2,000 aerial incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) since August 2000 and two simulated air-sea strikes on Taiwan and now Japan this year, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has clearly signaled his aggressive intentions. It is time to take his threats seriously and prepare accordingly.