Pursue the development of Chinese naval power to counter the US.

 

China has made rapid economic progress in the 30 years since its reform and opening up, but its political and military development has been relatively slow. Since 2000, however, as China has emerged as a major power, this debate has quieted down for a few years. There is no doubt that China is the world's fastest growing major power, but even as it becomes the world's largest economy, it will still face constraints from Western powers. Moreover, it may face difficulties in transforming its national power into external power due to complex international constraints. Therefore, China, which is increasing its presence in East Asia, is further strengthening its maritime capabilities to counter the US's eastward strategy.

China has a large maritime capability, but its equipment is outdated and it lacks experience. It has the world's largest fleet, but it ranks third in gross tonnage and is very poorly modernised. Lyle J. Goldstein, director of the China Maritime Studies Institute in the United States, said it was surprising that the Chinese navy had been able to maintain such aging equipment and limited capabilities in the long term. Since the founding of the new China in 1949, the navy has had to deal with maritime blockade and the self-preservation and protection issues of the world's great powers, and has not had the opportunity to improve its combat power as a practical matter. There were clashes in the Spratly and Nansha Islands in 1974 and 1988, but these were a continuation of the land warfare model.

Even if the Chinese navy demonstrates its full strength with high-quality warfare operations and systems, it has its limitations. Even if it systematises its operational capabilities and builds a few aircraft carriers, it cannot solve the problem of its inferior naval power. In terms of capability and experience, there is a huge gap in the level of the Chinese navy compared to the Western naval powers, and the disadvantage is even more obvious against the combined naval forces of the United States and Japan, as well as the United States. This is why China is increasing its astronomical investment in improving its naval capabilities and building aircraft carriers. China will continue to focus on improving its naval power in the long term.