The rivalry between the United States and China over artificial intelligence is often described as a contest of speed and ingenuity. Commentators count patents, compare benchmarks, and track investment flows.

The military balance around Taiwan is shifting toward Beijing. Chinese missiles threaten to cripple U.S. theater airpower at the outset of conflict. New powered barges can land heavy armor on unprepared coasts. Together, these capabilities create a sequence that begins with missile salvos against American aircraft and ends with Chinese armor supplied across a beachhead. The September parade displayed the barges, drones, and strike missiles; a detailed study in International Security explained how they would be employed and what they could achieve.