Study: China's military might threatens global order

China's ever stronger military poses a fundamental challenge to the staus quo in East Asia, according to a new study from a US-financed research group. The report by Rand Corp said America's ultimate goal worldwide is to bring security and stability to nations struggling to implement democratic reforms, AP reported. In Asia, the report says, China poses military and strategic challenges, because the US would favor Taiwan in a conflict with China. "From a security perspective, the growing power of China's military is a fundamental challenge to the existing order in East Asia," the report says, noting that the question of Taiwan's status may be one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the world. Most analysts agree China is serious when it says it would consider using force to prevent a final break for independence by Taiwan, the report says.