China’s Military Buildup and Global Influence Raises Concerns, Says Congressional Report
According to a recently released report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, China’s military dominance is posing a threat to U.S. power and intensifying the strategic and systemic competition between the two nations. The 741-page report paints a bleak picture of China’s rapid military growth and its efforts to surpass American power.
The report highlights China’s substantial investment in modernizing its military capabilities, with a particular focus on advancements in missiles, space technology, undersea warfare, and artificial intelligence. It emphasizes that China is allocating unprecedented resources to its military buildup, which presents a formidable challenge to the United States.
Beyond its military expansion, China is also actively seeking to shape global affairs in ways that favor its own interests. This includes employing military coercion, acquiring advanced technologies, and conducting influence operations. The report emphasizes the need for the United States to recognize China as a significant strategic competitor and prioritize managing this complex rivalry as a top national security concern.
In specific sectors like space and cyberspace, China is attempting to mold international law to align with its objectives. By discrediting established norms, exporting authoritarian aspects of its legal system, and influencing the development of laws and norms, China aims to reshape the international order. Notably, Chinese efforts in frontier areas such as space, cyber, and nuclear security have sought to exploit the lack of clear regulations in these emerging fields.
The report also highlights China’s ambition to extract resources from space, as current international space law lacks clear mechanisms to determine ownership rights over space-based resources. China intends to claim the right to utilize such resources in the absence of a comprehensive legal framework. Additionally, the report points out China’s criticism of the Artemis Accords, viewing them as an attempt by the United States to establish unilateral rules for lunar activities.
China’s pursuit of a space-based nuclear weapon is another concern raised by the report. This weapon could potentially pose a global threat and impact U.S. homeland security. The development of a fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS), which would allow China to permanently deploy nuclear weapons in space, is particularly alarming. Such a capability would give China greater flexibility in its nuclear strategy, complicating U.S. deterrence.
To address the growing competition with China, the report suggests several recommendations to the U.S. Congress. These include reforms in export controls and stricter reviews of foreign investments in American companies. The report emphasizes that if China surpasses the United States in critical areas like undersea warfare, space technology, and artificial intelligence, the balance of power in Asia and worldwide could be significantly altered.
It is clear that China’s military dominance and its pursuit of global influence present significant challenges for the United States. As the two nations continue to engage in strategic competition, managing this rivalry will remain a top priority for U.S. national security.
