Scary Strong
Whoa. If the US can do this, there is a serious problem for China. The US has an airforce that far outstrips the Chinese because of philosophy and tactics, and if 2 out of 3 theatres of war (sea and air) will be completely dominated by the US, is there any chance that the Chinese will succeed in a real battle?

With 650 ICBM's ready to fire, will China be able to take on the US by itself? While China may be able in the future to become a prosperous nation and possibly a superpower, the US's technology and economy will drive its military superiority for some time.

I sincerely hope that the opening of China's doors to trade will bring democracy/peace so this discussion will be non starter. Probably the only thing holding back the Chinese from invading Taiwan (besides the US military) is the fact that Taiwan and the US have so much investment in China that would disappear overnight. China would be back at square one financially. Oh yes, and they'd be obliterated by US bombs, but that's beside the point.