U.S. analysts and lawmakers are advocating for the expansion of the United States’ weapons arsenal, international partnerships, and clear signaling to effectively counter China’s increasing influence around the globe. The urgency of this call comes as the 2027 deadline for China’s military readiness to invade Taiwan approaches, posing a significant threat to regional stability.
This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping marked 80 years since Imperial Japan’s surrender in World War II with one of the largest military parades seen in China, held in Tiananmen Square. The parade showcased an impressive array of military capabilities, including fighter jets, hypersonic missiles, and AI-powered drones, emphasizing China’s focus on military strength.
The event attracted high-profile attendees, including U.S. adversaries such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, further highlighting the emerging alternative global order led by China.
Heather Williams, the director of the Project on Nuclear Issues and a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), explained during a panel discussion that the display reflected a loose alliance among these nations, which may not involve deep mutual security agreements but sends a powerful message to the U.S. and the international community.
Williams noted, “This is not something like NATO… Nonetheless, the optics of them all together — looking at this massive Chinese arsenal — sends a very strong message to the U.S., and to the rest of the world, that this is not just about the U.S. military and a U.S.-led world order.”
At several events in Washington, experts and senior officials voiced increasing concerns regarding the threats posed by China and debated whether the U.S. was doing enough in response. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said, “As hard as it’s been for Russia to conquer Ukraine, it’s going to be just as hard for China to conquer Taiwan. But I think we can do more work and have better communications to create a stronger deterrence message when it comes to China in relationship with Taiwan.”
The ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and China has resulted in significant investments in modernizing military capacities and advancing warfighting technologies, including drones and AI systems. Bacon, who chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, highlighted that China currently poses the biggest cyber threat to the U.S., with a cyber command significantly larger than America’s. He emphasizes the need to enhance U.S. Cyber Command capabilities during his remaining time in Congress to address these challenges.
During the parade, multiple units of the People’s Liberation Army showcased their prowess, including the military’s new cyberspace unit. Williams remarked that this was the first time China had publicly displayed its full nuclear triad — capabilities by land, air, and sea.
The event highlighted advanced weaponry that included the LY-1 laser, modern intercontinental ballistic missiles like the updated Dongfeng-5, and the new DF-61, designed to carry nuclear warheads to distant targets.
Beijing also revealed a variety of advanced drones, including conventional, AI-powered, and stealthy attack variants such as the GJ-11 and the new AJX002, which resembles a submarine. Notably, the parade featured four-legged robots described as “robotic wolves.”
Kari Bingen, director of the Aerospace Security Project at CSIS, discussed the significance of China’s military display, stating, “This was very much messaging on U.S.-counter intervention capability… This is [China saying] ‘We can reach you.’” She pointed out that the showcase is aimed at demonstrating China’s ability to project power, using missiles and drones capable of striking targets in the U.S. and allies like Guam.
Experts on the CSIS panel reached a consensus that the parade reflected both the scale and speed of China’s military modernization efforts under Xi Jinping’s leadership. Nevertheless, they expressed skepticism about the operational readiness of the systems displayed, questioning whether they were genuinely in production or merely theatrical displays. Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, categorized the event as a blend of
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