[JamesP81]

Looks like good target practice for Navy fighter pilots.

Seriously, I think that 7th Fleet could destroy the entire PLAN in a maximum of forty-eight hours of combat once the PLANs positions were known. The real threat from China comes from its air force which makes up for its inferior technology with its enormous size.

[Jeff Head]

Well, initial hostilities with them will most probably center in the relatively close-in waters of the China Sea under the umbrella of that large air force. They will not venture out into blue water conflict with us for quite some time.

[ClearCase_guy]

The real threat from China comes from its air force which makes up for its inferior technology with its enormous size.

Enormous air force implies enormous consumption of fuel.
Enormous consumption of fuel implies enormous tanker traffic to Chinese ports.
Enormous tanker traffic implies dominance at sea.

Not a chance.

[Little Ray]

I think you're a little optimistic. The USN war-gamed a war with the PRC and, according to the results, its carriers were forced to retreat. Their carrier makes this equation worse.

Mind you, the USN might have been trying to improve its budget situation...

[Colorado Doug]

The real threat from China comes from its air force which makes up for its inferior technology with its enormous size.

I think that underestimates China's asymmetric warfare plans. They are already starting to hit us on a number of economic fronts. I have my suspicions about proxies currently in use as well.