News Analysis Over the last decade the balance of power in the South China Sea (SCS), and to a lesser extent the East China Sea (ECS), has shifted dramatically in favor of China’s military forces. The construction of seven artificial islands with a total surface area of 3,200 acres in the SCS has significantly expanded China’s defensive perimeter in the region and enhanced its ability to deny the U.S. Navy’s ability to deploy ships in the SCS. Even more significant is the dramatic increase in China’s naval forces. In 2012, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) had 271 surface ships versus 284 for the United States. By 2021, the PLAN’s naval strength had increased to 348 ships versus 296 for the U.S. Navy. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the PLAN’s fleet is expected to increase to 420 ships by 2025 and 460 ships by 2030. These numbers do …