Make the Pentagon’s China Report Really Matter

The Pentagon's annual report on China's military power is a vital, authoritative document for understanding Beijing's military buildup, but it needs reform to be more effective. The report could be improved by providing more frequent updates using modern tools, releasing it concurrently with the defense budget request to better link threats to spending, and stimulating broader public reporting on China's activities across other government agencies. These changes would make the analysis more timely and consequential for policymakers. Ultimately, revitalizing the report is a necessary step to ensure it supports a comprehensive U.S. strategy for competing with China.