US Military Strategy in the Face of a Rising China

THE IMPERATIVEProtecting vital American interests

Over 1.6 million American nationals live in Hawaii and six U.S. territories in the Western Pacific.

The Asia-Pacific is home to five of America’s treaty allies, all of which are democracies.

THE CHALLENGEChina’s military build-up

60+ submarines, thousands of missiles, 2.3 million military personnel, modernizing nuclear force

Two nuclear tests, three long-range missile launches, two unprovoked attacks on South Korea since 2006

THE CHALLENGE North Korean provocation

THE CHALLENGE US is reducing its defense budget

$487 billion in cuts over 10 years plus an additional $500-600 billion in cuts if the Budget Control Act is not amended

RECOMMENDATIONS

Enhance U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific

Force Beijing to invest in expensive defenses

Convince China that it cannot win a quick regional war

INNOVATIONS

DETERRENCE Rebalance the U.S. nuclear posture to contend with Asian nuclear expansion  

INTELLIGENCE Establish an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance network in the Asia-Pacific

INNOVATIONS Four areas for U.S. strategic advantage  

UNDERSEA ALLIANCE Ensure a comparative advantage in submarinetechnology and operations

BASINGExpand U.S. basing options to provide more accessto more places for U.S. forces

LEARN MORE ABOUT RESPONDING TO A RISING CHINA

www.aei.org