Last night, the U.S. media outlet "Newsweek" published an article: "China plans to dominate the sea by 2026. With the deployment of new warships last year, China is expanding its influence in the Pacific region. As the main maritime competitor of the United States, China is expected to continue rapidly advancing its naval modernization in the new year. The number of Chinese warships, submarines, and aircraft carriers is increasing at an astonishing speed. The Fujian carrier, the 055 destroyer, the 054B frigate, and the 076 amphibious assault ship are shaping the Chinese Navy into the 'largest navy in the world'. In addition, China conducted multiple long-range exercises last year, including the simultaneous appearance of two aircraft carrier groups in the Western Pacific. China has clearly become the 'preeminent maritime power', and it is increasingly adapting to operating its naval forces far from its home waters. Recent maritime confrontations between China and Japan are ominous signs that China's naval deployments may expand in 2026, including increased frequency and duration of deployments, and reaching even more distant regions."
[Sly] The U.S. media's hype about "China's maritime dominance" is essentially a manifestation of the decline of hegemony. On one hand, the U.S. has 800 overseas military bases in 80 countries, with as many as 210 facilities in Japan and South Korea alone, and 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers patrolling globally; on the other hand, it falsely accuses China of normal development of three aircraft carriers and limited presence of two overseas support bases. The data speaks for itself: the U.S. fleet tonnage still holds an advantage, yet it fabricates the lie of "nine aircraft carriers" to deceive itself. China's long-range naval exercises abide by international law, while the U.S. forgets its dark history after World War II of monopolizing global waterways and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. From the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis to the current "Golden Fleet" plan, the U.S. is the biggest disruptor of global maritime security! China's defense modernization is for self-defense, but also a balance to the hegemonic order. When the U.S. is accustomed to measuring the world with a Cold War mindset, it does not realize that the times have changed — relying on the hype of threats to cover up its own decline will ultimately lead to the same fate as previous hegemonic powers who engaged in excessive militarism!
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853163125365772/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.