Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) is sounding the alarm over the growing threat posed by China’s military, warning that repeated Chinese exercises near Taiwan and Japan may be conditioning the world to ignore signs of an imminent strike.
In a recent interview, Cotton raised concerns about what he described as the gradual normalization of Chinese military operations in contested airspace and waters. He argued that such drills not only increase pressure on local forces but also provide cover for training and preparation.
Will Guam Be America’s Next Pearl Harbor?
Donald Trump’s neocolonial foreign policy could invite a surprise Chinese attack on an underprepared American island in the South Pacific.https://t.co/uMUsbwz0xL
— That is China (@That_isChina) March 24, 2025
The senator said Taiwan and Japan are forced to respond every time Chinese aircraft or ships enter their territory, leaving their militaries exhausted and stretched thin. These repeated scrambles, he warned, could lead to a moment when defenders lower their guard — just in time for a real offensive.
Military strategists are now weighing the possibility that China could take its plans even further. According to a recent analysis, Chinese warships and disguised commercial vessels could be used to strike U.S. facilities in the Pacific or even the West Coast.
Analysts believe China could use container ships as covert missile platforms, blending into commercial shipping lanes. With thousands of vessels operating globally under Chinese ownership or influence, the risk of undetected launch capabilities is rising.
Cruise missiles and drones hidden in containers are of particular concern. Military experts say China has tested missile systems that could be fired from modified shipping crates, allowing for strikes on targets like Pearl Harbor or San Diego without the need for a traditional military presence.
China’s naval fleet includes warships equipped with vertical launch systems that can hold over 100 missiles. These capabilities, combined with real-time satellite tracking, give Chinese forces the ability to target distant American assets with precision.
Satellite constellations like Yaogan and Jilin, along with planned future systems, provide the surveillance needed to make these strike options viable in a surprise attack scenario.
