No, we don't need to catch up with US militarily. The US military forces were designed for a worldwide dominance, which is obviously beyond American's economic capacity today. If US decides to keep its military advantage as today, the weight of its military cost will undermine its economic capacity as it did in last. However, the her economic system has been relying on the global dominance for last 40 years. So, any plan to downsize her military force will threat her dominance in every corner of this world, which will lead to the weakening of her economic basis. In return, this will undermine her military power further.
So, if we check the history of last 60 years, we can see a clear downward trend of American relatively economic power.
if we check the history of last 20 years, we can also see a clear downward trend of American relatively military power.
If we check the history of last 10 years, we can clearly see a decline of American's political influence.
Of course, China is not catching up with anyone.
It is Peacefully Rising and Aggressively Gobbling.
China's economy is not really bright and sparkling either. The world is still in an economic decline and China is no exception.
Having tasted economic upswings that are indeed spectacular, the Chinese workers, who are trained in Communist ideology of equality, are grudging that the princelings and oligarchs are alone benefiting for their labour and sweat. They want their equitable share of the pie. Hence, discontent is rising and pays have to keep pace. But then the entrepreneurs are not there for social service and instead for profits. They are finding new pastures in the neighbourhood to the detriment of Chinese economy.
However China has an advantage over the US. it is a totalitarian State.
CCPs writ runs. If things get bad, then another
benevolent cultural revolution will see them through.
But China requires to shape up or ship out to be in the race versus the US.
US' political clout is diminishing and of that there is no doubt.
But Americans are Batmen, Supermen and Spidermen all rolled in one. They are out to 'save the world' and everything that oppose them is 'evil empire' or 'axis of evil'. That is their psyche.
They will not lie down because it is inevitable to enjoy it.