A warship launches a missile during a military drill in late July of the South China Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army's navy in the South China Sea. Beijing has been developing air, naval and missile capabilities that appear focused on undercutting America’s superiority in China’s backyard. (Xinhua News Agency via Associated Press)China Challenges U.S. Edge In Asia-Pacific -- Washington Times/AP
Beijing’s military buildup spooks its neighbors.
When China launched threatening war games off Taiwan 15 years ago on the eve of an election on the self-governing island, the U.S. deployed two aircraft carriers, and China quickly backed down.
Things do not seem so one-sided any more.
China's military has been on a spending spree at a time that the debt-ridden U.S. government is looking to cut defense costs. Last week, China announced a 12.7 percent increase for this year, the latest in a string of double-digit increases.
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My Comment: The ones who are really spooked are China's neighbors .... from Japan in the north to Vietnam in the south and India in the Southwest.