The Pentagon's new China Military Power Report dropped just days before Christmas. An annual report — but this year it came late again, a sign of how difficult it was to produce. Because the report speaks with two voices. On one page, it claims China's "historic military buildup" has made the United States "increasingly vulnerable", portraying China as an unstoppable threat. But turn the page, and the tone shifts. Now Washington says it does not seek to "strangle, dominate, or humiliate China".

In addition, the report feels rushed. No table of contents. Outdated information. The world should not take it too seriously. Because this report is not written for the international community. It is written for the US Congress. The real purpose is not truth — but money.