Can China’s Hidden Military Strength Overtake the U.S.?

China’s military prowess has sparked widespread interest, with some speculating that China’s actual weaponry is a decade ahead of what is publicly displayed. But is there any basis for this claim? Since World War I, the United States has successively replaced Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, and an economically stagnant Japan to become the world’s primary military power. Now, the U.S. faces a fifth major competitor: China. Unlike its predecessors, China’s military strength is elusive. U.S. think tanks believe that the Chinese government is one of the most enigmatic in the world. Unlike the Soviet Union’s high-profile displays, China prefers to hide its strength, which can easily lead the U.S. to strategic misjudgments. The Pentagon speculates about China’s military capabilities, attempting to determine if China has kept many trump cards. U.S. defense reports on China’s military strength are confusing, simultaneously exaggerating and downplaying China’s military power, often to secure more funding from Congress. Let’s objectively discuss whether China’s military strength is indeed ten years ahead of what is publicly known. Regarding the navy, large surface vessels such as the Type 055 destroyers, Type 075 amphibious assault ships, and the aircraft carrier Fujian are exposed once launched, often captured by foreign satellites during construction. However, surface vessels do not fully reflect the true strength of the Chinese Navy; submarines are the key. Since the 2019 National Day military parade, China’s Type 093 nuclear attack submarines and Type 094 strategic nuclear submarines have frequently appeared. Chinese military programs on CCTV even revealed the interior command cabin of the Type 093 submarine, suggesting that China’s new generation of nuclear submarines may have already been launched. The Type 095 nuclear attack submarines and Type 096 strategic nuclear submarines are likely to enter service soon. In the air force, the J-20 fighter jet has reached over 200 units since its maiden flight. The J-20 was initially dismissed as a mere upgrade of the J-10 by Chinese Air Force senior officer Zhang Zhaozhong in 2010, who claimed China could not develop a fifth-generation fighter. This led the U.S. to halt its F-22 production line. However, after the J-20’s successful flight, the U.S. realized it faced challenges in countering the J-20. China’s sixth-generation fighter jet development has also begun, with the capability to manufacture it immediately. China’s strategic missile forces are the most secretive aspect of its military power. The 2019 National Day parade showcased the latest generation of strategic intercontinental missiles, the DF-41, whose development began in 1991 and was finalized in 1994 but remained undisclosed for 25 years. During this time, China likely developed other new strategic missiles. China’s strategic intercontinental missiles now have global strike capabilities, with an almost unlimited range. #ChinaMilitaryStrength #ChineseWeaponry #USChinaRivalry #MilitaryCapabilities #SecretWeaponry