CHINA has been suggested to possess the advantage over the US during a potential conflict over the Asia-Pacific, consistent with a maritime professor.

Lyle Goldstein, research professor at the Naval War College's China Maritime Studies Institute, said the US would likely lose a primary fight with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Washington and Beijing have repeatedly raised tensions with naval drills in disputed Asian waters over the past year, with China enraged over the US’s support of Taiwan and presence within the South China Sea.

Mr Goldstein warned it's “very plausible” the US has “no guarantee of victory within the first phases”.

While the expert accepted China and US conflict scenarios vary wildly, he added all of them are “extremely challenging” for Washington.

Mr Goldstein argued "the situation is really considerably darker" for US troops beyond the opening rounds of a possible conflict.

He added: “I think China now has adequate forces, including air, missile, EW , spec ops, naval, undersea and nuclear to likely prevail within the first phase and maybe in subsequent phases too.”

Speaking to Newsweek, Mr Goldstein said China’s weaponry is “quite important” in giving a foothold over the US.

But he said Beijing mainly has an whip hand over the US due to “1) favorable geography (and thus interior lines), 2) greater will ('core interests'), and 3) a willingness to strike first”.


The expert then referenced flashpoints of US/China tension, including Taiwan and therefore the South China Sea.

In regards to Taiwan, Mr Goldstein suggested a conflict over the island “exaggerates of these advantages for China”.

James E. Fanell, a retired United States Navy captain who served as director of Intelligence and knowledge Operations for the US Pacific Fleet, also told Newsweek China has trapped with US military power.

He said: “Over the course of the past 20 years the PRC has changed the military balance of power across the Indo-Pacific.

“Beyond out-producing the United States Navy within the number of warships at a rate of 4 to at least one, the PLA Strategic Rocket Force has put US aircraft carriers in danger with the fielding of the DF-21D and DF-26 anti-carrier ballistic missiles.

"The PLA's 'counter intervention' strategy, just an idea 20 years ago, is now a reality within the Second Island Chain, and continues to expand at an alarming rate across the remainder of the region."

US President Joe Biden has promised to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and to challenge China’s aggression within the South China Sea.

In February, the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell steamed within 12 nautical miles of the Spratly Islands within the South China Sea, most of which Beijing claims as its sovereign territory.

Lt. Joe Keiley, a spokesman for the US Navy's 7th Fleet, said during a statement: “This freedom of navigation operation ("FONOP") upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the ocean recognized in law of nations by challenging unlawful restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.”


A spokesman for the PLA warned during a report the operation "seriously violated China's sovereignty and security, gravely undermined regional peace and stability, and deliberately disrupted the great atmosphere of peace, friendship and cooperation within the South China Sea”.

China regards Taiwan as a part of its mainland territory, and has threatened to reclaim the island by force.

But the Chinese Defence Ministry's Information Bureau said during a statement on Monday it'll not take any longer land in response to an issue on China's national defence strategy.

They said: “We cannot lose one inch of the lands we inherited from our ancestors, and that we wouldn't take one cent of others' possessions."

It then added: “Never expanding and never seeking spheres of influence are the distinctive features of China's national defence within the new era.”