WASHINGTON – China’s military has expanded its bomber operations in recentyears while “likely training for strikes” against the United States and itsallies, a Pentagon report released on Thursday said.
The assessment, which comes at a time of heightened US-China tensions overtrade, was contained in an annual report that highlighted China’s effortsto increase its global influence, with defense spending that the Pentagonestimates exceeded $190 billion in 2017.
“Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwaterbomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions andlikely training for strikes against US and allied targets,” the reportsaid, using an acronym for China’s People’s Liberation Army.
The report comes as China and the United States plan to hold trade talks,offering hope they might resolve an escalating tariff conflict thatthreatens to degenerate into an all-out trade war.
The report said that while the PLA had continued to extend operations, itwas not clear what message Beijing was seeking to send by carrying out theflights “beyond a demonstration of improved capabilities.”