You said — “The Chinese could up the ante and contest the Chung-hoo...they have the force to do that. They could not contest the Stennis and her group.”
Yes, you’re right, but they would have to realize that the U.S. could simply “ante up” and then they’re outgunned. So, what’s being done here is “incremental” in order to not try to “provoke” — but to show that “we mean business”....
The response from the Chinese is going to be their choice, and we’ll see what it is...
The Chinese are not capable of contending with an entire carrier strike group on short notice in a situation like this.
It can be argued, that with one DDG, we are increasing the chance that they would respond...because they can.
But that's just my opinion and thoughts.