[dirtyid]

This arguement is questionable because the amount of bodies and resources it takes to cultivate and maintain modern tier1 military is not substantial at PRC scale. Even PRC with South Korea TFR (worlds worst) will be generating millions of new births, more than US generates via births + immigration. Or that current PLA budget is ~2% and major powers including PRC has gone up to 7%+ during periods of "peaceful" competition. There isn't a credible scenario within this century where PRC will lack bodies or resources to field a military that is rapidly closing gap and will likely contest US for global interests within short/medium term.