Maritime rivalry and confrontation between China and the United States has heated up in recent years, especially in sensitive waters such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The United States frequently sends aircraft carrier battle groups into these areas to conduct so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in an attempt to pressure and provoke China.
China, for its part, resolutely defends its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and strengthens the deployment and exercise of naval and air forces to counter the US military threat.
Against this background, there is a saying circulating in some Western media and experts that even in the event of a war between the two countries, China cannot attack American aircraft carriers, otherwise it will face full-scale retaliation and sanctions from the United States. What is the logic and basis for this statement? Is it consistent with international law and the fundamental principles of international relations?
China has never taken the initiative to provoke any war, nor has it ever threatened the security and interests of any country. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, pursues a defensive national defense policy, and is committed to establishing a new type of international relations with other countries featuring mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
China is not afraid of any challenge or pressure, nor will it easily use force to resolve disputes and contradictions.
However, if someone tries to infringe on China's core interests and challenge China's bottom line, China will resolutely fight back, no matter what the cost is.
American aircraft carriers are not sacrosanct. U.S. aircraft carriers are the core and symbol of its maritime power and an important tool for its global intervention and hegemony.
The United States has used its aircraft carriers to show force, intimidate other countries, interfere in internal affairs, create instability, provoke wars, and create countless humanitarian disasters and regional crises around the world.
U.S. aircraft carriers do not have any special status or immunity under international law, they are ordinary military targets that must bear the risk of being attacked or destroyed if they participate in aggression or threats against other countries.
China has the ability and confidence to deal with U.S. aircraft carriers. With the improvement of China's comprehensive national strength and scientific and technological level, China's naval and air military capabilities have also developed rapidly.
China already has two active carriers and is building a more advanced third. China also has the largest and most advanced missile force in the world, including long-range anti-ship ballistic missiles, supersonic cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and more. These missiles have the characteristics of high precision, high speed, high stealth, and high penetration, which can form an effective strike and deterrent against US aircraft carriers.
In addition, China also has a large number of advanced submarines, fighters, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare equipment, etc., which can constitute a multi-dimensional, multi-level and multi-domain strike system for US aircraft carriers.
U.S. aircraft carriers are not a key factor in determining the outcome of a war. Historically, there have been many examples of aircraft carriers that are not invincible and not decisive.
In World War II, Japanese aircraft carriers were severely damaged by the United States in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, thus changing the situation of the Pacific War. During the Vietnam War, U.S. aircraft carriers were counterattacked by North Vietnamese air and anti-aircraft fire while carrying out bombing missions off the coast of North Vietnam, losing dozens of aircraft and pilots.
In the Iraq War, although the US aircraft carrier played a certain role, it was not able to stop the resistance and resistance of the Iraqi people. U.S. aircraft carriers have also not been able to change Russia's support and assistance to the Syrian government in the Syrian civil war.
The statement that China cannot attack US aircraft carriers is completely unreasonable and groundless. This is a bandit logic and hegemonic mentality, an unreasonable provocation and threat to China's sovereignty and security.
China has the right and obligation to defend its territory and seas, and safeguard its core interests and development space. If the United States really dares to provoke a war, China will not be afraid to fight back, so that the American aircraft carrier will become scrap metal that sinks to the bottom of the sea.