China’s military buildup for a potential Taiwan invasion has reached a “rapid boil,” warns a top US admiral as tensions escalate in the strategic waterway.

At a Glance

• Admiral Samuel Paparo of US Indo-Pacific Command warns China is rapidly escalating military preparations for a potential Taiwan attack
• Recent Chinese “Strait Thunder 2025A” exercises included rehearsing attacks on ports and energy facilities
• Beijing’s 2005 “anti-secession” law threatens Taiwan with annexation if it declares formal independence
• President Xi Jinping reportedly wants military readiness for Taiwan invasion by 2027
• US military leadership believes America would prevail in conflict due to submarine and counterspace advantages, despite
• China’s growing production capabilities

China’s Military Preparations Reach “Rapid Boil”

China’s preparations for potential military action against Taiwan have intensified to a “rapid boil,” according to Admiral Samuel Paparo of the US Indo-Pacific Command. In recent statements to defense officials, Paparo highlighted the People’s Liberation Army’s alarming shift in military maneuvers, which now include comprehensive “live fire” drills around Taiwan.

These exercises demonstrate China’s growing capabilities and suggest a strategic readiness that threatens regional stability. The exercises appear increasingly earnest and comprehensive, covering the full spectrum of military operations needed for a potential invasion scenario.

Last month’s “Strait Thunder 2025A” exercises specifically rehearsed attacks on Taiwan’s ports and energy facilities, representing a clear escalation in both scope and intent. These drills coincide with intelligence suggesting President Xi Jinping has instructed the Chinese military to be prepared for a potential Taiwan invasion by 2027.

The timeline aligns with Beijing’s increasingly aggressive stance toward what it considers a breakaway province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

US ability to defeat China in Taiwan threatened, top Indo-Pacific commander warns

Admiral Samuel Paparo says Beijing is outpacing Washington in weapons systems production.

The top American military commander in the Indo-Pacific said the US would defeat China in a conflict over… pic.twitter.com/k2cawT565w

— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) May 3, 2025

Legal Framework for Aggression

China’s military posturing is backed by a clear legal framework establishing conditions for invasion. Beijing’s 2005 “anti-secession” law explicitly threatens annexation if Taiwan declares formal independence or takes steps that would permanently separate it from mainland control. This law provides the Chinese government with a self-created justification for military action should Taiwan’s democratic government pursue policies Beijing deems unacceptable. The law essentially codifies China’s red lines regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty, creating a permanent threat designed to influence Taiwan’s political decisions.

General Ronald P Clark of US Army Pacific has expressed growing concern over China’s assertive actions, not only in the Taiwan Strait but throughout the broader South China Sea region. The Chinese naval presence has expanded dramatically, with operations now observed as far as Australia and New Zealand. This expanding operational footprint demonstrates China’s evolving capability to project power well beyond its immediate territorial waters, complicating America’s defense planning throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

US Defense Strategy and Capabilities Assessment

The United States remains committed to defending Taiwan’s sovereignty against Chinese aggression. A recently leaked Pentagon document highlighted the prevention of a Chinese seizure of Taiwan as a top military priority. Admiral Paparo expressed confidence that US forces would prevail in a potential conflict with China, citing significant advantages in submarine warfare, counterspace capabilities, and precision strike systems. These technological edges remain critical components of America’s deterrence strategy in the region.

However, the military balance appears to be shifting in concerning ways. China now outpaces the United States in production of critical military assets including submarines, warships, and fighter aircraft. This production advantage threatens to eventually overcome America’s technological edge through sheer numerical superiority. Pentagon officials have increasingly warned Congress about this production gap, arguing that maintaining America’s qualitative advantages requires substantial and sustained investments in both technology and industrial capacity to meet the growing Chinese threat.