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According to a reputable Australian think tank, China has gained a slight edge over the United States in terms of regional military power in Asia.

What’s the deal: According to the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index, China has made substantial strides in enhancing its military capabilities within Asia, significantly closing the gap with the United States. For the first time, experts surveyed for the index believe that China is better positioned than the US to rapidly deploy and sustain military forces in the region during a war. The report notes that China has continually improved its military strength, narrowing more than a quarter of the lead that the US has held since 2018.

Not all doom & gloom: Despite believing that China has an edge over the US in the region, the think tank noted the United States retains key advantages over China despite China’s growing military capabilities. The US continues to lead in six out of eight measures of power in the region, particularly in areas such as economic resources and diplomatic influence. The report also notes that the US possesses superior long-range power projection capabilities, which China still lacks. Additionally, the US benefits from a robust and extensive network of regional alliances that China has been unable to replicate.

Other notable movers: In addition to highlighting the US & China, the report notes that India and Japan are taking major strives in defense. According to the report, “India has overtaken Japan to become the third-ranked power in Asia, but its clout remains below the potential promised by its resources.” For Japan, the report noted that the country’s arms imports from the United States “grew rapidly, from $4.61 billion over the previous ten-year period to $7.68 billion.”