China-Taiwan military balance 'rapidly tilting' toward Beijing: Japan

North Korean threat 'more imminent' than ever but Russia declining: white paper

A Chinese warship fires toward shore during a military drill on April 8. Japan said in its annual defense report that the military balance between China and Taiwan is "rapidly tilting to China's favor." © Reuters

July 28, 2023 12:50 JST

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The military balance between China and Taiwan is "rapidly tilting to China's favor," Japan said in its annual defense report released Friday, amid tensions over the self-ruled island, which Beijing considers its territory.

The Defense Ministry's 2023 white paper, received by the cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida the same day, said there is increasing global concern about China's intensifying "coercive military activities" in the skies and waters surrounding Taiwan.