Needed: Serious Money and Long Term Commitment to Modernize Military if the US Is to Deter China
by Lawrence Kadish
March 25, 2025 at 4:00 am
While China is a potent nuclear power with astronauts in orbit and squadrons of stealth fighters in the air, one merely needs to look at its navy to appreciate what the Communist Chinese leadership's 21st Century plans are: global domination. Pictured: J15 fighter jets on China's Liaoning aircraft carrier during a drill at sea, in April 2018. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
When Britain ruled the seas centuries ago, they were the world's sole superpower, dominating trade routes, creating colonies, applying military power to demand spheres of influence, and using that power to maximize its economy back home.
Today's Communist Chinese leadership can probably recite that playbook by heart.
While China is a potent nuclear power with astronauts in orbit and squadrons of stealth fighters in the air, one merely needs to look at its navy to appreciate what their 21st Century plans are: global domination.
Recently, China directed its naval forces to sail around the Australian continent in what was clearly a long-distance show of force. Then, between the waters of Australia and New Zealand, the Chinese navy engaged in live fire exercises that forced dozens of commercial airliners to divert their flight routes. There was absolutely no reason for the Chinese navy to be so far from home other than reminding Pacific democracies that China has the means to project power where and when it wants. In addition, China is now engaged in extensive undersea mapping, one presumes to give its submarines an accurate "roadmap" to patrol.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21504/modernize-us-military-deter-china
