Recently, the Chief of Naval Operations of the United States stated that the country needs to prepare for a potential conflict with China in 2027, even at the cost of sacrificing two aircraft carrier strike groups to ensure victory.
This statement seems particularly abrupt against the backdrop of high-level dialogues between the US and China, raising questions about what considerations led the US to make such a drastic declaration.
The minister's remarks not only convey the urgency felt by the US Navy but also demonstrate America’s heightened vigilance regarding China's rise.
The US Navy has long prided itself on its formidable naval and aerial power, thriving in the post-Cold War era and viewing itself as the world’s sole superpower.
After the Cold War, the US held steadfast confidence in its absolute advantage, even positing the theory of "the end of history," believing its hegemonic status would be forever unshakable.
Meanwhile, the dissolution of the Soviet Union left Russia suddenly stripped of its former glory, and the collapse of its economy and military capabilities meant that the US had virtually no rivals for a time.
However, over time, the US discovered that its former adversaries had not entirely disappeared.
After a period of stagnation, Russia gradually regained some strength, while China made significant advancements economically and militarily.
Notably, since 2010, China has accelerated its military modernization efforts, rapidly narrowing the technological gap with the US.
American arrogance is not only reflected in its confidence in military capabilities but also in its neglect and underestimation of China’s development.
In the past, the US generally believed that China could only remain in the role of low-end manufacturing and could not compete in high-tech fields.
However, the reality is that China has, in a short time, not only acquired advanced technology from Russia but has also gradually achieved self-research and innovation.
Since 2016, Sino-American relations have undergone profound changes.
China has made breakthroughs economically and has begun to seek greater influence on the international stage.
Against this backdrop, China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at promoting global economic cooperation and creating a win-win situation.
However, the US views this with suspicion and attempts to contain China through issues in the South China Sea.
Such actions by the US are undoubtedly a direct challenge to China’s rise, leading to heightened tensions between the two countries.
In the face of American threats, China has adopted a resolute stance, actively mobilizing naval forces to protect national interests.
China's three major fleets have gathered in the South China Sea, demonstrating a strong determination to retaliate.
This response caught the US off guard; it had previously thought China would choose to endure and retreat as before, but the hardline attitude China displayed shocked the US.
The remarks by the Chief of Naval Operations reflect a misjudgment of future warfare.
Despite still possessing a powerful navy, the US military development faces many challenges.
For example, the F-22, as the world’s first operational fifth-generation stealth fighter, despite being technologically cutting-edge, has only been produced in over 100 units due to high costs and limited production numbers, failing to form effective combat capability.
Additionally, the US Navy’s originally planned Zumwalt-class destroyers have not met expected goals after multiple rounds of development, becoming a genuine "mascot."
High maintenance costs and inadequate performance have forced the US military to reassess the feasibility of its equipment.
All these factors together reveal a gradual decline of the US military-industrial complex, unable to compete with China’s growing military capabilities.
With technological advancements, the nature of modern warfare is also constantly changing.
The US clings to outdated notions in military technology, failing to adapt to new situations in a timely manner.
Experiences from the Russia-Ukraine conflict indicate that relying solely on high-tech equipment while neglecting overall combat capability may lead to painful lessons when facing equally matched opponents.
The quantity, adaptability, and rapid production capability of equipment are becoming increasingly important in modern warfare.
In recent years, China’s shipbuilding speed has astonished the world, with rumors that its shipbuilding capacity is 200 times that of the US Navy.
This rapid development momentum has compelled Western countries to reexamine their security strategies and military layouts.
China’s rapid naval expansion and technological advancements have gradually altered the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.
Although the US Navy Chief claims to prepare for war with China, in reality, this reflects the panic and anxiety over China’s rise.
In confronting challenges, the US may underestimate China’s coordination and responsiveness across various battle zones.
Previously, they believed that China's military regions had conflicting competitive relationships and thus would not provide effective support in wartime; however, the reality is that China has developed more efficient interlinking capabilities in this regard.
The future international situation remains complex, and the competition between the US and China will continue.
The US military strategy needs cautious adjustments to meet the challenges posed by China.
In this process, how to avoid conflict and maintain peace is a pressing issue for all countries.
The remarks of the US Navy Chief, while garnering widespread attention, actually stem from a panic and misjudgment regarding China’s strength.
Faced with the new international landscape, the US must realize that relying solely on military power cannot maintain absolute superiority; only through dialogue and cooperation can lasting peace and stability be achieved.
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