By 2027’s end, China plans to be capable of taking Taiwan, according to the United States Department of War’s 104-page report to Congress released on Dec. 23, 2025. The report shows China seeks a “strategic decisive victory,” which means a win with acceptable losses. While the target country is unspecified, the report assumes this means a planned war over Taiwan. China also wants to build its “strategic deterrence” against the U.S., which likely refers to further nuclear development.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, China made great strides in modernizing its military. Below are some specific areas of development highlighted by the U.S. War Department:
1. Nuclear Buildup
When Xi…