WEEKLY POLL: China is the world's largest shipbuilder

Last week, we received troubling news from the Pentagon:according to the Department of Defense, "The [People's Republic of China] has the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants." The Pentagon also reported that "China is the top ship-producing nation in the world by tonnage," adding that the country is currently striving to increase "its shipbuilding capacity and capability for all naval classes." By the end of this decade, China is expected to operate as many as 400 ships.

While China’s growing fleet is already larger than the U.S. Navy’s 293 ships, some Navy leaders and observers say pure numbers may not ultimately be the measure of superiority. The Pentagon report does make this point, yet with the clear caveat that China’s emerging fleet size coupled with their ability to build through attrition is indeed concerning.

Make no mistake, a conflict with China will be a Pacific conflict, meaning it will be driven by our naval capability and capacity. I believe it is clear: we must do more to outpace our global competitors and we must prioritize achieving our goal of a 355-ship navy by 2030. I believe it should be the goal of Congress to ensure that our military forces never enter a fair fight, that we are always more prepared, more advanced, and have greater resources than any potential adversaries.

That is why I am calling on my colleagues in Washington, in my role as Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, to increase our nation’s shipbuilding and provide greater resources to our Navy to ensure they have the platforms, weapons, and tools they need to keep our nation and our world safe for free peoples.

I want your input on this important issue: