The new Trump administration should adopt a more muscular approach to counter China’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The stakes could not be higher. Absent a major course correction, Beijing will continue to make diplomatic and military gains at our expense and the risk of war will increase.

By meddling in our elections, embedding themselves in our national infrastructure, undermining our allies, and continuing their massive military build-up, China has advanced its interests and diminished America’s credibility. The Biden administration’s muted response only served to encourage further aggression.

Consider, for example, China’s adventurism in the South China Sea. In addition to fortifying its man-made islands, which are now loaded with weapons, China has repeatedly struck, fired lasers and fired water cannons at Philippine fishermen and coast guards operating in Philippine waters.

XI JINPING Warns TRUMP US WILL ‘LOSE IN CONFRONTATION’ WITH CHINA IF RENEWED TRADE WAR RAISES

According to the Pentagon’s latest report on China, China’s warships and fighter jets have also rammed US ships and aircraft more than 100 times in recent years. However, this reckless behavior caused little more than furrowed eyebrows and finger-wagging from American officials.

A giant screen in Beijing shows news footage of military exercises conducted in and near Taiwan Strait by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on October 14. (Reuters/Tingshu Wang)

China continues to beat Taiwan with a steady stream of threatening maneuvers aimed at coercion. The People’s Liberation Army has normalized such large-scale exercises that Taiwanese officials have expressed concern that they could provide cover for an actual invasion.

China’s aggression extends far beyond the Indo-Pacific region, even endangering Americans right here at home. China has already penetrated our key national infrastructure, such as pipelines and power grids, with its cyber intrusions. In case of conflict, China is ready to pounce “low blows” against our citizens, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

China’s challenges have extended to our 2024 presidential election. The intelligence community recently publicized China’s efforts to hack the phones of both presidential campaigns, including then-candidates Donald Trump and JD Vance. This comes on top of revelations by the intelligence community that China has actively sought to influence key congressional races through its influence operations, striking at the heart of our electoral process.

The Biden administration has said very little in response to these revelations. This sets a bad precedent. Passive responses today will generate more aggression in the future, making conflict with China more likely.

The underlying problem is that the Biden administration has placed undue emphasis on “competition” with China. This metaphor is seriously misplaced. Ping-pong players “compete” according to agreed-upon rules and gentlemanly standards of sportsmanship. However, China is a rule breaker that clearly has no interest in playing nice. Instead of playing games, Beijing is trying to reshape the international order in its image.

The Biden administration has spilled rivers of ink explaining its “integrated deterrence” theory, which it announced with great fanfare with the release of its National Defense Strategy for 2022. For the most part, it was simply repackaging of old ideas. China remains unimpressed and undeterred, as its catalog of aggression indicates.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION

Restoring deterrence requires a more robust US approach – one that does not shy away from confronting China with targeted measures when and where necessary. Slapping China with tariffs is a good start. So is the escalation of freedom of navigation exercises with US warships in the South China Sea. Trump should also take any potential summit with President Xi off the table until China stops threatening Taiwan with its provocative exercises.

To keep the peace, the US must also better prepare for direct conflict with China. This includes providing the military with the tools to quickly and decisively defeat the PLA if conflict breaks out. It means sharpening war plans and formulating strategies aimed at the Chinese Communist Party’s ability to control not only its military forces but also its own people.

China’s challenges have extended to our 2024 presidential election. The intelligence community recently publicized China’s efforts to hack the phones of both presidential campaigns, including then-candidates Donald Trump and JD Vance.

All of these will require more resources. Defense budgets that fail to keep up with inflation will no longer be sufficient. Congress must increase defense spending on a sustained basis in real terms.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Weakness invites challenge. Antiquated notions of deterrence and competition are no longer enough to keep the dragon at bay. Military force and political resolve are needed to reduce the risk of conflict.

It’s time to face China.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JAMES ANDERSON