It appears that we are failing to deter or compete with China near the Philippines

Hundreds of #Chinese Ships Gather Near the #Philippines

At least 135 Chinese militia ships are “swarming” Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

They gathered, creating a "wall" of Chinese ships. Via TaiwanPlusNews.pic.twitter.com/YY43BUxgAS

— Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense News (@IndoPac_Info) December 4, 2023

Explain to me again how the US military in general and the USMC in particular with FD2030 is gonna deter and compete with China? Useless bluster and chest thumping will not win the war or the peace. Do the Chinese consider us competent and determined? Are we? If we are not then we have lost before the fight has begun. If they do not think we are then there will be a fight.