Pentagon: Chinese pilots 'likely' training for U.S. targets

A new Pentagon report says China's military has expanded its bomber operations in recent years while 'likely training for strikes' against the U.S. and its allies. Ryan Brooks reports.
The Pentagon says the Chinese military is 'likely training for strikes' on U.S. targets.

That's according to a military report released Thursday (August 16) coming less than a day after the two sides said they would hold talks over a rising trade war.

The report points out that the People's Liberation Army has quickly expanded out its bombing areas over the ocean.

Beijing's been spreading its influence for years in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

But earlier this year the Chinese air force landed bombers on islands and reefs there as part of training.

Thursday's report said it was not clear what message Beijing aimed to send by expanding those flights beyond quote "a demonstration of improved capabilities.'

It also noted that Beijing's defense spending hit 190 billion dollars last year and that number's only set to rise even during an economic slowdown in China.

That's not all.

The Pentagon says China's military capacity in space is on the rise too, despite what the report calls a 'public stance' from Beijing against the militarization of space.

This month President Donald Trump's White House announced a plan to usher in a 'Space Force' as the sixth branch of the military by 2020.

One of the arguments in favor of a Space Force is that U.S. rivals like China appear increasingly ready to strike U.S. targets in space if a conflict breaks out.

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[arthurdont]

"I need more money", Pentagon says

[viboulk]

The wolf and the lamb. The bully always find reasons to attack the weaker.

[semorgan]

They cant even get my take out order right. How can they rely on their pilots doing any better?

[jajackson]

We're all gonna die! Us is literly hell on earth.

[stingrayman]

Hyperbole, they won’t attack because they know they would lose.

[proball]

thank the clintons and boieng for giving china lunch giudance teck.

[powderwigwoodenteethmf]

Then what does the US train for? Dropping flowers on civilians?

[leselhbr]

Do they work or not that’s is the question 🦃🦃🦃🦃

[floydzepplin]

Meh, even China knows their military is second rate...

[rosephoenix]

And one more thing don't be of a bully just get them a chance of the little guys different language different people your country and then if you want to trade them go ahead but if they got some ideas you're going to listen to them the future is supposed to be of a goodness kindness and United around the world and then in space beyond that