A View from the West: A ‘Reunified’ China in 2027?
By Brett Witthoeft, 19 June 2026
[This is an excerpt of an article in Vol. 22, No. 1 of Canadian Naval Review. For the full free access article, click on the link below.]
In 2021, the then-head of US Indo-Pacific Command, USN Admiral Phil Davidson, popularized the idea that China could move against Taiwan as early as 2027.1 Admiral Davidson did not pluck that date from thin air – in 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping set 2027 as the year in which the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) should be competent in basic joint operations, interpreted as the ability to invade Taiwan. Xi also set 2035 as when the PLA should be fully competent in joint operations and assisted by advanced technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The year 2049 is when the PLA should be a ‘world-class military’ able to defend Chinese interests globally. With now just one year until Admiral Davidson’s predicted invasion date, it is worth looking at what China has been doing to meet the 2027 goal.
First up is the raw ability to move against Taiwan, namely building the ships, planes and missiles not only to soften Taiwanese defences and protect hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops as they cross the Taiwan Strait, but also to feed, fuel and rearm them and prevent foreign intervention over weeks, if not months. On this front, the PLA has made extraordinary advances. Supported by massive shipbuilding capability, the PLA Navy (PLAN) became the largest navy in the world some time around 2015-16, and now operates three aircraft carriers, with a fourth (possibly nuclear-powered) on the way.2 The PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), which would be tasked with firing missiles at Taiwan’s defences and command-and-control centres, and deterring the United States and allies, has established a full arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, including the much-touted DF-21 and DF-26 ‘carrier-killer’ and ‘Guam-killer’ missiles.3 The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) is ready to battle for air superiority over the strait and protect convoys of troops as they cross, with at least 1,300 fourth-generation aircraft, modern standoff bombers, and a full suite of supporting radar and transport aircraft.4
If the PLA does have one significant obstacle to its invasion plans, it is a lack of amphibious ships – it operates 12 Landing Platform Docks and Landing Helicopter Docks, with a 13th beginning sea trials in November 2025.5 However, the PLAN has anticipated this problem and has taken steps to mitigate it, including requiring commercial ships to support PLA operations since 2016, and experimenting with modifying civilian cargo ships into shallow-draft landing craft.6
However, it is one thing to build a major military, and another altogether to train the separate military branches into one that can smoothly work together under extreme stress over an extended period. The PLA has been working toward exactly that, with large-scale, joint exercises around Taiwan beginning in 2022.
Post continues on the Broadsides Forum
Trending now:
- A View from the West: A ‘Reunified’ China in 2027?
- US Navy Submarines: A Retirement Issue
- Marking the 35th Anniversary of the Gulf War
- The DDGH(A) and the Perils of Designing Warships from a Map Table
- CNR sponsors: visit page
Current Issue: Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026)
It’s that time again! Soon there’ll be a new issue of CNR hitting the streets. To whet your appetite, here is a preview of what’s in the issue.
As usual, the issue contains a smorgasbord of material, with something for everyone. Our first article takes us to China and outlines how it has become a shipbuilding powerhouse. The second article discusses Canada’s participation in the Gulf War, as we reach the 35th anniversary of the conflict. The third article argues that RCN veterans should be seen as strategic assets and treated and trained as such. The final essay outlines some of the defence capabilities that are being ordered/built, particularly relating to the Arctic, even in the absence of a new defence policy to provide strategic direction.
And, of course, we have our usual Making Waves commentaries. In response to enthusiastic discussion on Broadsides (our online discussion forum), we have a commentary about whether geography is destiny for Canada – i.e., as a small (in terms of population) country next door to the United States, does Canada have options for defence? There’s a commentary asking if naval art is dead, a commentary about naval capabilities for the Arctic, and a commentary about how the RCN can make the navy more visible to Canadians.
And, of course, we have our regular columns. “A View from the West” looks at whether China is indeed capable of/intending to invade Taiwan in 2027. “Dollars and Sense” examines the Defence Industrial Strategy, and “Warship Developments” updates us on recent naval developments.
Naturally, we have our usual amazing photos!
Stay tuned. In a few weeks, the issue will be in the mailbox of people who are lucky enough to be subscribers! It’s not too late for you to subscribe. See here for the Table of Contents.
CNR resources
- CNR Archives
- Subject Index for CNR Articles
- Broadsides Forum - Join the Discussion
- Submissions to Canadian Naval Review
- Subscriptions - unlock access to all CNR materials
- Sponsor page
- Free CNR articles and PDF downloads
- Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn
- Donate to CNR
- Special offer
Read more: CNR Archives (60+ magazines in PDF) and Subject Index (600+ articles)
Looking for Books about Maritime Matters?
Over the last 20 years, Canadian Naval Review has published over 180 book reviews. These books cover a variety of topics but they all relate to maritime matters, history, or security and defence at sea. This is an amazing resource. Go through the list of reviews, pick out a few books that look interesting, read the reviews, and then order the books from your nearest bookstore or from the publisher. See the list of book reviews at https://www.navalreview.ca/book-reviews/