PLA's Buildup

Yesterday, the Washington Post reported on the ever increasing buildup of Chinese forces. The most interesting part of the article is how the buildup is not quantitative but instead this is a qualitative buildup. This can be seen by reports of how China is cutting 300,000 more troops from its military in the latest round of force reductions. After the latest cut the PLA stands at a little over 2 million people, which still keeps them as the largest military in the world. However, these cuts let them better train the troops that are left thus making them more dangerous then the larger force that they had before.
Another interesting point of the article was that China had almost completed its initial goal of deterring US entry into any conflict it might have with Taiwan. By building up its naval, air, and missile forces it has ensured that the US would think twice before entering any conflict with China. This has apparently been their goal since 1996 when the United States Navy sent two carrier battle groups to support Taiwan during a huge Chinese defense exercise in the area.
Now the next goal of the PLA is to be able to successfully execute a quick invasion of Taiwan so that the US will have no time to respond.