From the Crows' Nest Will China Invade Taiwan in 2027?
Aug 13, 2025
Duncan McCrory, a PhD researcher at King's College London specializing in air and space security, joins to discuss the looming threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan by 2027. He highlights the significance of the ‘Davidson Window’ and the might of the PLA, the world's largest military force. McCrory warns of the global implications, including economic disruption and risks to U.S. alliances. The conversation dives into PLA strategies, Sino-Russian relations, and the challenges of detecting military intentions, offering insights into potential future conflicts.
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2027 Is A Serious Strategic Deadline
- Xi Jinping has ordered the PLA to be capable of seizing Taiwan by 2027, so the threat should not be dismissed as rhetoric.
- A successful invasion would gravely damage alliances, trade routes, and semiconductor supply chains, with global economic fallout.
PLA Size And Party Control Multiply Risk
- The PLA is the world's largest military with integrated services and paramilitary forces loyal to the CCP.
- That loyalty lets Beijing mobilize state resources across air, land, sea, space, cyber, and information operations for multi-domain campaigns.
Sino-Russian Ties Are Pragmatic, Not Integrated
- China and Russia's relationship is pragmatic and not a NATO-style alliance, but their cooperation and shared interests can still complicate Western responses.
- Observing Russia's failures in Ukraine provides lessons on air denial, coordination, and what to avoid in a Taiwan scenario.
