US expresses fear of greater threat from China than Russia, admits ‘acute threat’ from Russia, but China a main challenge

The United States (U.S.) has expressed fears that China is a greater threat than Russia in the international system of today.

The Pentagon noted that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses “acute threat”, but China is perceived at the most consequential challenge for the United States.

According to The Pentagon, the dangers are both conventional, Russia’s aggression toward its neighbors and China’s efforts to gain control of Taiwan, and nuclear, with Russia possessing an extensive arsenal, and China’s stocks of atomic weapons growing fast.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin disclosing unclassified versions of several military strategy documents, declared: China “is the only competitor out there with both the intent to reshape the international order, and increasingly the power to do so.

“Unlike China, Russia can’t systemically challenge the United States over the long term. But Russian aggression does pose an immediate and sharp threat.”

The National Defense Strategy, released Thursday, also considered China more dangerous in the present international system.

The Defence declared that China is seeking to “refashion the Indo-Pacific region and the international system to suit its interests and authoritarian preferences,” describing this dynamic as “the most comprehensive and serious challenge to US national security.”

The U.S maintained that Chinese ambition and “coercive activity” toward self-ruled Taiwan, which China vows to take control of, by force if necessary, is a destabilizing factor that risks miscalculation and threatens peace in the area.

The U.S.  also noted that the “acute threat” posed by Russia, has been most recently demonstrated by the February invasion of Ukraine.

The Defense Strategy declared: “The Department will support robust deterrence of Russian aggression against vital US national interests, including our treaty Allies.”