New Act Demands Detailed Reports on China's Military Plans, Extending Oversight Until 2030

The aptly named China Military Power Transparency Act of 2025 is less about creating new policy and more about forcing the government to keep its eyes wide open on China’s military moves—and report back to Congress about it. Think of it as upgrading the annual security briefing from a general overview to a deep-dive investigation.

The Deadline Extension and Scope Expansion

Currently, the Department of Defense (DoD) is required to produce an annual report detailing China’s military and security developments. This bill extends that reporting requirement, which was set to expire in 2027, all the way to January 31, 2030. For the average person, this means Congress will continue to receive fresh, official intelligence on this high-stakes relationship for several more years, ensuring continuous oversight.

Beyond just extending the deadline, the bill updates what the DoD must include in this annual report. It’s adding specific homework assignments that reflect emerging concerns. For example, the report must now detail any Chinese cooperation on nuclear weapons and drone development. If you work in tech or defense, this means the government is prioritizing intelligence gathering on cutting-edge military capabilities.

New Focus on Real-World Impacts: Farmland and Cyber War

This legislation zeroes in on topics that hit closer to home than you might think. When discussing Chinese overseas investments, the report must now specifically cover foreign farmland acquisitions. Why does this matter? Because land ownership, especially near sensitive infrastructure, has become a major national security concern. This move forces the government to track who is buying America's agricultural land and why.

Perhaps the most significant new requirement is the analysis of conflict scenarios. The DoD must now analyze the likely role of Chinese cyber capabilities in a conflict with the U.S. This isn't just theoretical; it means planning for scenarios where critical infrastructure—like the power grid or banking systems—could be targets. For every office worker, truck driver, and small business owner who relies on the internet and stable utilities, understanding this risk is crucial.

The Taiwan Conflict Playbook

Finally, the bill mandates a detailed look at potential conflicts involving Taiwan. The DoD can no longer just offer a general assessment. It must now analyze the likely strategic goals of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and detail how China plans to carry out specific campaigns. We’re talking about three distinct scenarios that must be covered: a cyber-enabled economic warfare campaign, a cross-strait invasion campaign, or a blockade campaign. This is the government asking for the full playbook, forcing intelligence analysts to game out the most disruptive potential outcomes to inform U.S. strategy. While this is primarily an intelligence and defense mandate, the resulting information is essential for policymakers trying to prevent instability that could ripple through global supply chains and markets, affecting the cost of everything from electronics to gasoline.