PLA so far is replacing her old destroyers and frigates with newer designs. One does not expect the Chinese to defend her economy with 1970’s or older warships. One medium size jump carrier is a signal for a deep blue navy, but the pace which she is developing the carrier force is still leisurely. I would be more concern with what China is up to with submarines while the US should be more concern with getting out of overseas adventures and conserving financially. Right now the only thing sinking the US navy is shrinking economy and growing gov deficit. Lack of money is sinking our fleet faster then a Chinese missile.
Actually, the surface combat fleet development is not leisurely. As I said, they have increased the sizee of their fleet by 142%...that is not simply replacing what they had.
They are planning on having three carriers by 2020...so that is not a leisurely pace either.
I’ve been watching, researching, and studying this for the last 10-12 years. It is of concern to our Naval planners and that is why they have convinced Obama (or any other prsident) to shift US Naval forces even more heavily to the Pacific.
As to Subs, the Chinese are increasing rapidly there too. Their new Jun and now Qing classes are AIP SS boats that are better than the Kilos they bought from Russia. They have produced a new SSN that is arguably very close to our Improved LA Class, and are produicing new SSBNs that are far better than their single Xia unit of past years.
The SS boats will be deployed in the litorals and at choke points within the 1st two island chains and will represent a significant threat in any close or restricted waters. Their new SSNs will range out further, but they have a long way to go there in numbers and quieting before those boats are any kind of serious match for the Sea Wolfs (3) or the new Virginia Class (now 9) that we have.
Until then the Improved LA Class, which is at least as good if not better than these new Chinese boats, will hold the vast weight of any confrontation and will fair very well out in the blue water.