A high-ranking U.S. general thinks China is unlikely to invade Taiwan in the near term. Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, said Friday that China still has some ways to go before it has the capability to take Taiwan by force.

Milley said despite China's military actions, including its incursion into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, there is little to worry about. He said China's military incursions are "not overly concerning" but warned that Taiwan is still a core national interest for China.

Earlier this week, a fleet of 28 Chinese military aircraft - including fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers - entered Taiwan's ADIZ. This was the largest reported incursion into Taiwan airspace to date.

"There's little intent right now, or motivation, to do it militarily. There's no reason to do it militarily, and they know that. So, I think the probability is probably low, in the immediate, near-term future," Milley said.

Milley outlined his expert assessment of the situation at a Congressional hearing to tackle the growing concerns over Taiwan and China's military activities near the island. He said China's military capabilities are not yet sufficient to mount a reasonable invasion.

"My assessment in terms of capability, I think China has a ways to go to develop the actual, no-kidding capability to conduct military operations to seize through military means the entire island of Taiwan if they wanted to do that," Milley said.

While both nations do not have any official diplomatic ties, the U.S. has long been a strong international backer of the island. The U.S. is also Taiwan's main source of weapons, a fact that has angered Chinese officials.

China has claimed the democratically ruled island to be part of it under its "One China" policy. Officials have repeatedly criticized the U.S. for its interference in its internal affairs.

According to sources with knowledge in the matter, Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives are expected to propose new legislation this week to bolster the nation's support for Taiwan. The move is part of the Biden administration's efforts to take a more hard line in dealing with China over territorial issues.