Originally Posted by
WE Branch Fanatic
Britain will treat Russia as a “hostile state” but China primarily as a commercial “competitor”, according to a landmark review of British foreign policy that Boris Johnson will publish on Tuesday.
That is really ridiculous or even ludicrous.
Russia has not even half the GDP of Germany. Its commercial strength is rather in decline. Its potential for conquering and permanently occupying Countires which don't have a majority share of ethinc Russian poulation is really limited and rather declining. Its conventional Military does not even fully match continental Europe's.
Only its Nuclear Force is still on par with whole NATO and leagues above that of Europe. So conventionally only a limited Power but a massive Nuclear Power.
On the other hand we have a China which will be replacing the US as #1 Economic Super Power in no time. It is increasing its Military capabilities at a breathtaking rate. It is pretty openly stating its aspirations in the whole Region and acting accordingly. It's increasing its conventional power at an alarming rate and is using that for bullying Taiwan, Australia, Korea and Japan.
In 10 Years from now there will be ~50 operational Russian Stealth Fighters and 500 Chinese. Easily. The same goes for Long Range Air to Sea/Surface Missiles. And wait for the next strategic (Stealth-) Bomber. Guess who will field this!? The next Full Size CATOBAR Aircraft Carrier, to be equipped with Stealth Fighters and Drones? The list goes on and on.
That said our Economic Dependence on China has grown to a point where this can't be openly adressed anymore in the 'West'. Instead we have to blame a deputy scapegoat (Russia) when in reality it's clear who is the real Threat.
White Elefant in the Room....