CCP is the Most Lethal and Dangerous Strategic Rival of the US

As reported on July 15th, former US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said China remains to be the top strategic threat to the US in the 21st century, in response to the Defense Department’s 2022 National Defense Strategy submitted to Congress in March. Meanwhile, he urged the Biden administration to release the defense strategic documents to the public, strengthen multilateral cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies, and work together to deal with the threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

 Esper pointed out what the US needs now is a well-defined and clearly articulated strategic document that US allies, Congress, and people in the defense industry can really start implementing and make sure they understand this strategy so as to confront the CCP effectively.

 In addition, Esper said the Biden administration should continue to designate China and Russia as strategic rivals, with the second tier being Iran and North Korea, and the third tier being violent extremist organizations. Moreover, he stressed the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war does not mean that the US needs to distract and reduce investment in the Indo-Pacific region. On the contrary, the US needs to continue focusing on Asia, as the CCP is still the most lethal and dangerous strategic adversary.

 A group of maritime scholars launched the “Maritime Counterinsurgency Project,” calling for a stronger, sustainable US military presence in the South China Sea.  As Esper said the US needs to expand multilateral cooperation and joint navigation with Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries to present a multilateral, multinational face to counter the sovereignty claims of Communist China.