The China challenge

Peter Brookes  "Of particular concern to our Navy is China's development of an anti-ship ballistic missile with a maneuverable warhead and range of more than 1,000 miles. This DF-21 variant is a "carrier-buster" and a threat our navy has never faced. Beijing's robust building program has made it the largest naval force in Asia, outstripping the likes of Japan and South Korea, the region's other major military powers.

"Now, the Defense Department tells us, China has an aircraft-carrier R&D program under way. Beijing could start building its own carrier by the end of 2010, capable of handling fixed-wing aircraft.

"When that ship hits the water, we'll no longer be the only flattop navy in the "Pac." "  Peter Brookes is a senior fellow for national security affairs at the Heritage Foundation. He’s also a member of the congressional US-China Commission and a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University. Previously, he served as a deputy assistant secretary of defense, Capitol Hill staffer, CIA officer, State Department official and naval officer.