China’s development of a long-range missile capable of hitting anywhere in the United States suggests the PLA has made a significant leap in countering American military might through its strategy of “asymmetrical” warfare.

The approach, which has its roots in Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, avoids trying to match strength with strength, and instead seeks to create threats that draw an opponent into making a costly response. Amid such calculations, China appears set to introduce the Dongfeng-41, which analysts say will have repercussions at the global and regional levels and alter the US and Japanese military build-up.

“The US will speed up the deployment of its ballistic missile defence systems in the Asia Pacific region after confirming the PLA is continuing to develop the DF-41,” said Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong.

… Dr Richard Bitzinger, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the Pentagon had expected China to develop the DF-41 given the technology involved was within China’s reach.