While sino naval expansion is alarming, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy ("PLAN") is still quite away off from being able to challange the U. S. Navy ("USN") for maritime supremacy. Why you may ask? Well, mere numbers alone do not tell the whole story. The "PLAN" is still a predominately brown water navy. It has only recently begun to conduct long range or trans pacific exercises. What's more, the technology on board most chinese warships is most comparable to 1970's era U. S. warships. In other words, while the Chinese may be approaching the "USN" in terms of shear numbers, it has not matched the capabilities or depth of a U. S. carrier battle group. Nor has the "PLAN" come close to matching superior training, tactics or experience of the U. S. Navy and Marine Corp. Nonetheless, sound intelligence policy requires that the Pentagon not ignore the warning signs coming from Beijing. Navies are, after all, the direct result of vibrant and prosperous economies seeking to assert their power and influence on the global stage.
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