China no military threat, they say

Seeking to counter US worries about his country’s rapid military growth, a top Chinese general said the communist nation’s defense clout lags decades behind America, and China wants warmer relations. “I can tell you that China does not have the capability to challenge the United States,” he said, adding that its wealth and military strength pale in comparison with the US, and its navy is 20 years behind. Now, if you believe this, then take into account that the US has virtually stopped all R&D in sea and air warfare—and, our ships are old while the Chinese are building new ones and doing lots of R&D. There are announced plans to reduce the size of our army by at least 40 thousand troops—and I’m sure that is just the beginning. And they have all the interest we’re paying them on all the debt we owe them to finance all the growth. Bottom line: Yes, we’re stronger now, but they’re building and growing while we’re cutting and shrinking. In a decade or two the capabilities will be very, very different.