At the beginning of the new year 2024, the US Navy has deployed five nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and two amphibious assault ships around the world. Among them, the USS Eisenhower is deployed in the Red Sea, and the USS Roosevelt and Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike groups and the USS America amphibious combat group are deployed off the coast of the Philippines, near the direction of Luzon. In addition, the United States has stationed the USS Reagan aircraft carrier in Japan.
Such a deployment is very rare, larger than the deployment in the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis and the 2016 confrontation between China and the United States in the South China Sea. There could be several reasons for this massive military deployment. First, the United States may be trying to deter North Korea, which recently conducted underwater nuclear tests and missile launch tests. However, the scale of this deployment may be excessive, as North Korea does not have the ability to truly threaten the U.S. homeland.
Second, the United States may be supporting the Philippines by putting pressure on China in the South China Sea. The Philippines, instigated by the United States, has continued to provoke China's sovereignty over Second Thomas Shoal in 2023. Recently, the Philippines also airdropped supplies to a stall to break **, which may be to make a big deal and catch China off guard. The most likely reason is that Biden wants to divert the situation against him by demonstrating military strength at a time of domestic and foreign difficulties.
The Russia-Ukraine war, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Red Sea crisis and the Texas crisis have all made the United States difficult both at home and abroad. By demonstrating military superiority, putting pressure on China to stabilize allies, and doing things off China's coast, it may be to build momentum for the upcoming 2024**. Whatever the reason, we cannot underestimate America's determination toward China. They have always regarded China as their only adversary and are ready to take various actions to contain China's development.
Although we hope to drag US forces in the Middle East to maintain stability and peace along China's coastal periphery, the United States will not easily give up suppressing China. Despite the U.S. deployment of so many troops along China's coast, tensions in the South China Sea may not be repeated. China has advanced technologies such as space satellites, Air Police 500 early warning aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can update the position of US aircraft carriers in real time. In addition, China has ground and shipborne equipment such as over-the-horizon radars and shipborne radars.
Therefore, China will not be caught off guard by such a deployment. How is China responding to the U.S. aircraft carrier threat? U.S. aircraft carriers have long been considered a symbol of maritime supremacy, yet China is not afraid of its threat. China has a variety of strike means to meet the challenge of American aircraft carriers. China's air force has more than 500 warplanes, including advanced J-20** fighters, and 200 H-6K strategic bombers, all of which can carry a large number of anti-ship missiles.
In addition, China has the Dongfeng-21D missile of the Rocket Forces, a long-range anti-ship ballistic missile that can effectively strike enemy aircraft carriers. China also has other ** systems such as anti-ship missiles and torpedoes, which can strike from different angles. In addition to having a strong military, China can also use its abundant geographical resources to counter U.S. aircraft carriers. The presence of a large number of islands and straits around China makes it possible for American aircraft carriers to limit their combat operations in the vicinity of China.
China can use these geographical conditions to set up defensive island chains or narrow straits that limit the range of U.S. aircraft carriers. In addition, China can use its own underwater submarine forces against American aircraft carriers. China has a large number of submarines that can dive into the deep sea and launch anti-ship missiles, posing a threat to American aircraft carriers. However, China needs to be patient enough to deal with the challenge of U.S. aircraft carriers.
As one of the most powerful offshore platforms in the world, American aircraft carriers have powerful strike capabilities and maneuverability. Although China has a variety of strike tools, U.S. aircraft carriers remain a very threatening presence. Therefore, China needs to develop a reasonable strategy to deal with this challenge. China can enhance its ability to respond to U.S. aircraft carriers by improving its military technology, strengthening military cooperation and joint exercises, and strengthening intelligence gathering and early warning capabilities.
In short, China has a variety of strike tools to counter the threat of U.S. aircraft carriers. China has a powerful air force and rocket force that can launch a large number of anti-ship missiles. In addition, China can use geography and underwater submarine power to limit the activities of American aircraft carriers. However, in the face of the threat of U.S. aircraft carriers, China needs to be patient and develop a reasonable strategy to deal with it. Only in this way can China effectively defend its maritime interests and ensure peace and stability in the region.