[credit_guy]

The issue is not that the US needs to be stronger than China.

The issue is that the US population has a very low tolerance for combat losses (especially losses defending a foreign country), and the Chinese population (read Communist Party) has a much higher one (especially losses towards what they perceive as country reunification). If in a fight the US inflicts one million Chinese casualties, while incurring one hundred thousand, then the US might call it quits.

The US need not only be able to defeat China, but do it with minimal losses. That's why you need to maintain the huge capabilities gap that currently exists.