Pentagon: China military 'likely training for strikes' on US targets - Reuters

A Pentagon report released late-Thursday showed that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China’s military, has expanded its bomber operations in recent years while “likely training for strikes” against the United States and its allies, Reuters reports.

The report noted: “Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets.”

While the PLA had continued to extend operations, it was not clear what message Beijing was seeking to send by carrying out the flights “beyond a demonstration of improved capabilities,” the report added.

The report comes after China and the United States announced a plan to hold trade talks later this month.