An important Global Times editorial (April 15) listed three measures that China must take to counter the U.S. These are: (i) 'China needs to urgently consolidate its deterrent capabilities to prevent the US from carrying out extreme strategic intimidation against China. In particular, China's military buildup must fit the rapidly growing national security needs. For instance, if we are determined to reunify the island of Taiwan by force, if necessary, we will need to significantly increase our deterrent against external threats. That includes a nuclear deterrent. China will not attack US facilities in the first place. But as Washington keeps the ambition to militarily intervene in China's affairs, enhancing military strength has thus become the only way for China to establish balance and ensure security.' (ii) 'China needs to speed up its development, especially the capabilities of breaking through US' stranglehold on technology. Washington and its key allies still harbour the illusion of suffocating China's development. The clearer the trend that we can continue to develop rapidly, the more we can deal a blow to the US and its key allies, and thus the more we can make countries with wavering attitudes keep distance from the US' anti-China policy.' (iii) 'China should strive to stabilize the framework of China-US relations, even if it is about fierce competition. We cannot expect the struggle against the US to be over in one stroke. Only by stabilizing the situation with the incremental strength that we keep accumulating can we eventually turn the tables. This process is destined to be difficult. We should be resilient rather than seek for momentary gratification. The longer the game China and the US play, the less likely the US will endure.'

(Comment: The Editorial is also a warning to "key allies" of the U.S.)