What Beijing’s two-to-one shipbuilding lead means for the US in war over Taiwan

AI Summary

A survey found that Chinese shipyards delivered more than twice the naval tonnage of US shipyards in 2024 and 2025, highlighting a production gap relevant to a prolonged conflict over Taiwan. Analysts caution that tonnage alone does not determine naval strength, citing US advantages in submarines, aircraft carriers, and operational experience.

Mainland Chinese shipyards delivered more than twice as much naval tonnage as their US counterparts in 2024 and 2025, according to a new survey, exposing a growing production gap that analysts say could weigh heavily in a prolonged conflict over Taiwan. Tonnage alone is an imperfect measure of naval power, specialists cautioned, pointing to ongoing US advantages in submarine technology, aircraft carriers and operational experience. They also highlighted China’s ability to draw on commercial...