Moreover, Xi surrounded himself with close aides, such as new Premier Li Qiang. Xi's drive for power is worrying. What if China goes down the wrong path, the global implications could be significant, reported Nikkei Asia.
China uses "united front" tactics, cognitive warfare and infiltration campaigns to divide Taiwanese society, and tries to sabotage the relationship between Taiwan and like-minded countries.
Research has shown that countries intervene in conflicts when they think their interests may be affected and when they can make a difference. This could be a factor that pushes China to become more involved in Russia's battle.
As Xi begins his third term, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would strive to press Taiwan on unification, undercut US influence, and drive a wedge between Washington and its partners, the report said.
The session assumed importance in the backdrop of new geopolitical threats facing China and its lowest growth in decades at 3 per cent in the year 2022.
The report prepared by US Intelligence further stated that the PRC uses coordinated, whole-of-government tools to demonstrate strength and compel neighbours to acquiesce to its preferences, including its land, sea, and air claims in the region and its assertions of sovereignty over Taiwan
In a television interview that aired on February 26, CIA Director William Burns said, "we do know, as has been made public, that President Xi has instructed the PLA, the Chinese military leadership, to be ready by 2027 to invade Taiwan, but that does not mean that he has decided to invade in
Burns said it appeared likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin's setbacks during the invasion of Ukraine may have informed Beijing's sentiments, reported DW News.
"18 PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities," Taiwan's Defense Ministry tweeted.
Former army general and former chairman of the NATO military committee Pavel said that Prague would "seek to deepen its cooperation in all areas with Taiwan."
The blueprint, prepared by the People's Liberation Army, has been approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping, head of the military, who has been eager to strengthen Beijing's deterrence against Washington.