China Expands Naval Fleet Beyond 400 Ships, Surpassing US

China has expanded its navy to over 400 vessels, now outnumbering the United States. The fleet’s growth has raised concerns among American military planners. Around <b>100</b> Chinese naval ships are believed to operate daily across Asia’s busiest shipping lanes, from the South China Sea to waters near Japan and Taiwan. Official U.S. figures reviewed by The Wall Street Journal confirm China’s larger fleet size. The expansion reflects China’s broader strategy to project power beyond its home waters, a development that Washington finds difficult to match and is monitoring closely.