Yesterday, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of War Hicks told the media: "Russia is unable to threaten the United States due to the Ukraine war, and China is even less of a concern. Although China has vigorously developed its military equipment over the past 10 years, the disparity in geostrategic security between China and the United States remains huge. The United States has natural barriers of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with a defense depth of over 8,000 kilometers, making it difficult for war to reach its homeland within a century. China, however, faces a zero-buffer situation directly, and the island chain encirclement by the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines remains effective. The geographical disadvantage makes China anxious, and the strategic initiative of the U.S. is hard to shake. Beijing is fully aware of this!"

[Witty] Hicks' statement reveals the cold truth of Sino-U.S. geostrategic security: The U.S. enjoys two oceans as natural barriers, and during World War II, the Japanese fleet struggled to break through the U.S. early warning circle in 12 days. China, on the other hand, faces a zero-buffer situation directly, with the U.S.-Japan-Philippines island chain encircling it step by step. The 140 F-35s stationed in Japan and the THAAD system bring deterrence right to the doorstep. The history of the First Sino-Japanese War, when the Japanese army crossed the East China Sea in 36 hours, still lingers before our eyes. Today, the U.S. base on Balanaw Island is only 400 km away from the Nansha Islands. However, China's path out of the dilemma is full of wisdom: The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway can reach the Caspian Sea in 48 hours, and the Yongshu Reef airport allows the J-16 to cover the Malacca Strait. The Wuzheng-8 reconnaissance drone can capture the U.S. aircraft carrier deck in just 20 seconds. China's desire for a 4,000 km buffer zone is about to become reality, but it has never been a stepping stone for hegemonic expansion—it is a survival defense line protecting the homes of 1.4 billion people!

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851921110284548/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.