China has made no secret of their desire to knock us out of their rightful sphere of influence. Read this outstanding article by Dan Blumenthal — China’s staggering boost in military hardware and technology isn’t gear that’s limited to a cross-channel attack on Taiwan. It’s strategic stuff, all of which has the potential to combine for a devastating surprise attack on US forces in the Pacific. Only this time, unlike Japan, technology would grant the Chinese the legs to reach the continental United States. An alliance — specifically one that forces interaction between the PLA and PACOM — benefits China and China alone. They’re still a decade behind us militarily, but that gap is shrinking quickly. It will shrink even faster if we rush into a partnership with the Chinese that allows them to peek at our superior war machines.

Probably the money ¶ in the Blumenthal piece (which you should read):

First, the development of the [anti-ship ballistic missile] capability–and the possibility that this is just the first phase of a nascent conventional precision-guided munitions (PGM) strike capability–may well change the strategic balance in Asia. The United States has had more or less assured access to East Asia to defend its allies and project military power since the end of the Cold War. China’s ballistic missile program had already put at risk land bases around the PRC’s immediate periphery. Now, China potentially puts at risk U.S. carrier battle groups, the traditional American means of projecting power. Over time, the PLA may well be able to strike bases in Hawaii and Guam with precision and alacrity.

Over time is probably within ten to fifteen years, faster if they get their hands on better technology. Seriously bad news.

Confucius, Œc. Vol.

Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu.