China’s Stealthy Intentions

While China’s J-20 and J-31 stealth fighter programs represent a leap forward for the Chinese, observers differ as to whether these programs pose a serious threat to the United States. “Both programs and their successors . . . represent an attempt by China to match and exceed the United States,” Rick Fisher, senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center in Washington, D.C., told the Daily Report in mid-August. “China is not going to settle for parity. Like any great power, China wants its military to be superior,” he said. Other analysts seem more uncertain about the fighter programs. Mark Stokes, executive director of the Project 2049 Institute in Washington, D.C., said in a written statement to the Daily Report “it’s not clear exactly what the [People’s Liberation Army] is doing, and what effect a new fighter would have on air defense systems in the region.” He also noted that China’s aviation industry has tended to be problematic. Click here to continue to the full report.