China’s expanding navy creates new challenges for the United States
The United States is the world’s preeminent naval power. Commanding a fleet of over 300 ships, the US Navy projects power and pursues its international agenda over rival nations. However, the sheer magnitude and advanced capabilities of the US Navy cannot stop adversarial nations from expanding their naval presence and attempting to disrupt this balance of power. China is working at unprecedented speed to threaten this balance of power and is projected to do so in 15 short years.
The changing balance of power at sea is one of the most significant issues in geopolitics today. It has many stakeholders wondering what these changes will mean for the future of global stability, given the state of East Asian security, international trade routes, and US military planning. While China may not yet have reached American levels of technological sophistication or operational experience, they plan to invest $150 billion over the next decade to narrow this gap.
The growth of the Chinese navy has created new challenges for the United States and its allies in the region. The purpose of this navy is to project power and influence beyond the country’s shores. This change in power could lead to increased tension and conflict and a more unstable global environment.
In the last 15 years, the Chinese navy has been experiencing rapid growth. In 2005, it had roughly 300 thousand sailors and 170 ships. In 2010, those numbers had almost tripled to 822 thousand sailors and 310 ships. By 2030, China’s Navy will likely have roughly 2 million sailors and over 700 ships.
When it comes to warships, China currently has more than any other country in the world with roughly 350 vessels. By contrast, the US Navy currently has 305 frontline vessels in its fleet. It should be noted, however, that China continues to build ships that are generally much smaller in size than those in the American fleet.
In addition, China is in the process of modernizing its naval aviation capabilities with the development of new stealth fighters and anti-ship ballistic missiles that can reach any place on earth from Chinese soil. These capabilities dramatically expand its reach and influence well beyond its shores.
China’s naval presence helped the country tighten its grip on the South China Sea, which is home to many important shipping routes. This control has given China favorable leverage over the United States and other nations that surround the sea.
To secure its presence in the South China Sea, China is building artificial islands on top of reefs and atolls. International law states that only natural landmasses can be claimed as territory, but it has not stopped countries like China and Russia from doing so. If international law was actually enforced, China would be forced to back off from its claim on the South China Sea. Theoretically, if China were to militarize these islands (there are many indicators they already have) the United States would have a justification for intervention.
The recent increase in activity of the Chinese Navy has caused concern among countries around the region, including Japan and Vietnam. China claims sovereignty over large chunks of the South China Sea, which are also claimed by several other nations in the region. Now that it has a navy capable of enforcing these claims, China is able to strengthen its position.
The expansion of the Chinese Navy could have a significant impact on the global balance of power. It’s imperative that the United States and our allies monitor and deter China’s military expansion. The increase in naval presence is occurring at a rapid pace — left unchecked, it’s only a matter of time before the country commands a greater reach on the seas than that of the United States.
