China is intensifying military readiness in anticipation of possible confrontation with Western powers.
The U.S. economy is showing troubling signs of decline. Nearly one trillion dollars has evaporated from American stock markets, and the full effects of the ongoing tariff war have yet to be felt. Former President Trump launched this trade confrontation, arguing that America’s economy had not been treated fairly by its partners under previous administrations. He sharply criticized both Obama and Biden for their lenient stance toward China — now the world’s largest manufacturer and America’s leading source of imports.
Meanwhile, Beijing is moving to strengthen the yuan and accelerate its ambitious de-dollarization agenda, with the BRICS bloc emerging as a formidable challenge to U.S. economic dominance.
Despite retaining a clear military edge, America’s economic foundation is weakening. Its global reach and capacity to sustain a vast expeditionary force have historically depended on dollar hegemony and a debt-driven economy. Yet the U.S. no longer commands the manufacturing power it wielded during the World Wars.
China, by contrast, has advanced rapidly. Its achievements in space, including the swift deployment of the BeiDou navigation system, have impressed the world. In parts of Asia, BeiDou already outperforms the U.S. GPS network, pushing Washington to accelerate its own satellite modernization.
Beijing’s naval buildup is equally significant. The Shandong-class aircraft carriers project power in the South China Sea, where China continues to tighten its grip and effectively encircle Taiwan. In the event of conflict, China could block external forces from reaching the island — a scenario Washington would struggle to prevent.
Technological strides are also reshaping the balance. The J-20 stealth fighter recently operated near Japanese airspace without detection, signaling China’s progress in stealth capabilities. At the same time, China is pursuing quantum radar technology that could one day neutralize America’s stealth advantage.
Beijing has issued stark warnings: U.S. interference in a Taiwan conflict would trigger devastating consequences, with American bases in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and even the U.S. mainland considered legitimate targets.
China’s rise is no longer speculative — it is an undeniable reality. Possessing both hard power and soft power tools once monopolized by Washington in the 1990s, Beijing now stands as the foremost challenger to U.S. supremacy.
— Editorial by Setrosea
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