Prepared for US challenge: How China built itself as Asia's military titan

Chinese President Xi Jinping is refashioning his country's military into a potent fighting force that in some critical areas now surpasses the US armed forces, making an American victory over China in a regional war far from assured, Reuters reports today.

A scenario considered unthinkable not so long ago in Asia is now possible. According to retired Admiral Gary Roughead, who held the top job in the US Navy, America "could lose" in a regional war with China over Taiwan.

"We really are at a significant inflection point in history," said Roughead, who was Chief of Naval Operations until his retirement in