Xi's playbook for China is different from what U.S. thinks, scholars say

Taiwan, tech and nuclear policies all related to domestic politics

A model of the LY-70 air defense missile weapon system is displayed at Airshow China in Zhuhai, China in 2021. Beijing's military buildup is partly aimed at convincing the U.S. to accept China as a major power, analysts say. © Reuters

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

February 7, 2024 06:00 JST

WASHINGTON -- When Adm. Philip Davidson told Congress in March 2021 that China may take military action against Taiwan "in the next six years," 2027 became known as the "Davidson timeline." The words of the then-leader of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command were perceived to be based on intelligence and dominated the discussions in Washington.