Japan Defense Research Institute Says China Is Accelerating Bid to Recast Global Order

Overview

• The Defense Ministry’s think tank released its China Security Report 2026, centered on an "unequal partnership" among China, Russia and North Korea.
• Analysts say joint China–Russia exercises and air‑sea patrols have become routine, with the deepening military ties bolstering China’s operational capabilities.
• The report concludes that Beijing treats Russia as a key partner while noting frictions over Ukraine and differing approaches to the Korean Peninsula.
• PLA training around Taiwan has intensified since 2022, with the report assessing that activity levels could be raised depending on Taiwan’s politics and U.S.–Taiwan relations.
• Closer Russia–North Korea ties could expand Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile capabilities and, together with closer China–Russia coordination, foster more rigid blocs in Asia following the leaders’ joint appearance in Beijing in September.