[Jeff Head]

Couple that with instituting an economic policy that does not continue to fund the Chinese expansion and growth, unless and until there is absolute meaningful reform in terms of their government, civil liberties, banking, etc..

Otherwise, treat them economically the way Reagan treated the Soviets. It would be painful at this point...but not as painful as a war with them will be.

[Cronos]

The Chinese are not yet a threat like the Russians, but then I think they would be a lot smarter than the Russians -- they've had a civilisation for at least 2000 years before the Kievan Slavic kingdom was formed. Confrontation may not be the best way.

[Cronos]

Make that DIRECT confrontation may not be the best way

[DakotaGator]

Couple that with instituting an economic policy that does not continue to fund the Chinese expansion and growth...

Concur with Jeff's post #77. Just as Communist China's growing navy is only one aspect of its threat to the U.S. and free world, our response must be a multiplex strategy...not the simplex strategy of beefing up one service, the USN. Economic policy is key to this strategy.

Another item some on this thread are not considering when comparing navies; when Communist China decides to unleash its regional power projection, it will have done its utmost to tie down the bulk of the USN with other concerns.

It will not matter how wonderful our Navy is then. An unavaliable weapon is useless.