Eyes.

This is coolbert:

From our good friend Commander Salamander and thanks to same.

"Do not act shocked ... do not avert your eyes ... look harder"

"We started the 'Keeping and Eye on the Long Game' over a decade and a half ago. Many of you have been loyal members of the Front Porch since that time, so I know you are not surprised where 2021 finds us." [please click on image to see an enlarged view]

"Look at it. Don't avert your eyes."

Consider just from a number standpoint the Chinese navy operating hardly that far from home ports. Chinese able to mass assets and resources in the manner the U.S. Navy cannot. 

It can always be argued that American naval units possess just a whole lot more experience at naval warfare and have vessels their firepower greater plus the quality of personnel much better.

"Quantity has a quality all of it's own!!" - J. Stalin.

Sadly that does seem so!

coolbert.