China’s PLA Needs Time, Money to Surpass US Military

One of three Chinese warships is seen docked at Garden Island naval base in Sydney, Australia, on June 3, 2019. Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

The United States is the world’s No. 1 military power, while China is No. 3. To catch up with the United States, China will need to maintain a certain level of economic growth. However, given the slowing economy and the demographic challenge, the Carnegie Foundation expects China’s long-term GDP growth not to exceed 2–3 percent.