true true. we will see then. don't underestimate a few dozen or so Vietnam anti-ship missiles. just look at Falklands Argentina Super Endendards with 5 Exocets took out two RN Frigates those Exocets were 60's tech.
We must look at each case as it presents itself. The falklands taught the world a great lesson, one carriers are really important for long distance battles, though that's really a WW2 lesson.
two, ships have no real defense against anti ship missiles, so came the next wave of stealth ships. Chinese ships have adapted the stealth principle, and to my understanding this will delay detection and the size of target.
Three, other than the US I don't give anybody else the nod for ability to conduct overseas missions, I even doubt Chinese effectiveness against Vietnam on land.
Against Philippines, I have severe doubt, due to our transport ability, lack of helicopters, and LHD, and operational carriers and refuel planes, as well as a lack of stealth fighters and bombers.
But let me make this clear, what I doubt isn't our victory or even our loses, but we can further decrease those loses to an absolute minimal before we make this move.
But this needs to be noted, China is making massive inroads into these problems, I won't bore you with the details, but we are fixing them.