Pentagon official outlines US strategy to prevail in strategic competition with China

Asia-Pacific, News, US January 13, 2025 , by IRIA No Comments

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U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks shared critical insights into how the United States can prevail in its strategic competition with China.

In a keynote address at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies on January 10, 2025, Hicks outlined “four lessons” she believes are essential, staying focused on priorities, ensuring effective execution, leveraging U.S. competitive advantages, and carefully managing actions and messaging.

Hicks emphasized the long-standing challenge posed by China’s military modernization efforts, which have been monitored by U.S. policymakers for over 25 years. She stressed the importance of maintaining continuity across administrations to build on previous progress.

“Senior decision-makers must rigorously align ends, ways, and means to ensure the strategy itself remains right and [the Department of Defense] can deliver on it,” Hicks stated. She highlighted the responsibility of leadership to drive necessary changes if strategies prove ineffective.

Execution and delivery

Hicks spotlighted the U.S. military’s progress in modernizing its capabilities as a cornerstone of its competitive edge. “From day one, we’ve focused relentlessly on driving changes needed to outpace the PRC and ensure our enduring military advantage,” she said.

This modernization includes advancements in operational concepts, force posture, and lethality. However, Hicks warned against complacency, citing China’s industrial capacity and intellectual property theft as significant challenges. “We must be careful about what we say and what we show because a long-term investment can only be revealed once,” she cautioned.

^{U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2021. (Image Credit: U.S. DoD/U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brittany A. Chase)}

Leveraging competitive advantages

The deputy defense secretary underscored the United States’ global alliances as a significant strength. These alliances, she explained, act as force multipliers, amplifying the country’s capabilities.

“Around the world, America’s friends and allies have been substantially contributing to the common defense,” Hicks said. She pointed to instances like multinational naval operations in the Taiwan Strait as clear demonstrations of global solidarity for stability and prosperity.

Domestically, Hicks highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Department of Defense and various sectors, including industry, academia, nonprofits, and Congress, to sustain a competitive edge.

Managing actions and words

Hicks stressed the importance of ensuring that U.S. actions and rhetoric deter conflict without unnecessarily provoking Beijing. “We don’t believe conflict is inevitable, but it’s our job to prevent war by always being ready for war if it comes,” she explained.

She added that while the Department of Defense anticipates potential conflict, it does so out of concern that Beijing might instigate one. Both nations, Hicks emphasized, must work diligently to avoid misunderstandings that could escalate tensions.

At the end of her tenure, Hicks reflected on the progress made during her time in office and expressed confidence in the department’s future leadership.

“As I leave this, my third tour in government, I will be watching for my successors to build on our progress with their own,” she said. Hicks also commended the dedication of U.S. warfighters, civilians, and military families, noting that they would remain in her prayers as they continue to safeguard national security.

^{U.S. fighter jet conducts flight operations in the Indian Ocean, part of routine operations in the U.S. 7th fleet area of responsibility to maintain readiness to respond in support of allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region. (Image Credit: Twitter/@INDOPACOM)}

Hicks’ address underscores the approach the United States must take to maintain its strategic edge in the competition with China. Her call for focus, execution, collaboration, and prudence reflects a balanced strategy aimed at securing peace and stability while preparing for potential challenges ahead.