I don't agree with the article.
USA designed her military to project power among the lesser power states like Iraq and Afghanistan and to deter the major powers like Russia and China with ICBMS.
If China does not want to project power onto Middle East and Africa, mimicking US military is stupid.
IMO, China's main strategy for this decade is be the undisputed power of SCS. The other powers there lack a sophisticated military so mass producing "work horse" ships like 056 corvette and 054A frigate, as well as conventional submarines is the proper way to go. These ships are cost effective enough to patrol all of SCS and powerful enough to defeat her rivals there. With enough quantity, these ships can also deter the US navy from projecting power there as well.
At the same time, China needs to build a better amphibious assault capability with more LPD like 071 and maybe a helicopter carrier like the Izumo.
USA designed its military according to the needs as you have described, China have very different needs hence different design. Fundamental difference is that PLA only needs to secure Chinese interests, which it is increasing globalized, while US has a lot more international responsibilities to carry since post WWII. For example on the agenda of maritime trading routes, in the foreseeable future China's can still basically count on the status quo, however China also foresees that there will areas where current world order cannot reach. So China should design its conventional military according to those needs, like reaching Africa, ME, S Asia, South America, etc.
And you were right, major powers use strategic force like ICBMS to deter each other.
Here's my POV on the 5 US weapons that article suggests China.
Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carriers:
China does need CVN or CV platforms however the scale wouldn't be as big as US, needs are different as said.
The priority is not to build platforms ASAP using existing tech and replicate the US fleet, but to secure relevant sub-system techs to cater for future naval warfare, e.g. electro-magnetic catapult, UAV drones, next gen AWACS, etc. Only with maturity of these techs as pre-condition I would expect PLAN starts to mass produce CV/CVN, otherwise the building progress will be cautiously controlled.
Regarding the
Liaoning (CV-16), PLAN has positioned it as training vessel, knowing naval aviation is an area that its personnel has significant lack of experience. These programs will continue to run in parallel with the tech preparations.
Cruise Missile Nuclear Submarines or SSGNs:
I agree with the author. On top of being part of strategic deterring capability, such weaponry would also be useful in conventional warfare.
Air Superiority UAV:
UAV very naturally, it dictates what future warfare is like
Sea Control Ship
As the author said, the PLAN is on the right track with ships like
Type 071 amphibious transport dock. And I agree with you, PLAN is already planning large flat deck amphib like Izumos e.g. project 081, hopefully that will further improve PLAN's amphib capability is such need arises.
Heavy Lift
Just as sea control ships, it's indeed very urgent for China to build a strategic airlift force, the lack of capability here is even more severe compared to that in it's maritime transport. To match PLAAF's need, a fleet of about 300 Y20 or equivalent is required for a minimal projection capability.
To me, How China develops their Sub-Surface capabilities will tell how they plan to counter US in terms of Air-Sea Battle Doctrine.
Will they rely on SSNs to to go after the carriers and convoys? or do they have more confidence in their HGV and stealth plane programs? or will they have an equal mix of both?
Soviet Submarines gave the USN a major headache during the Cold War, will China try the same idea?
Next:
How much confidence do they have in their carrier programs? To what degree will PLAN develop a ASW doctrine to counter the large number of USN SSNs that pose a threat to any CBGs?
Type 002 and 003 carrier programs look solid to me. Type 052D and the Type 055 are also solid with good AAW capability. Both have room for 2 helicopters each so it's obvious that ASW will become a major concept for them and for good reason, they would have to ward off large amounts of fast attack submarines from their carriers.
Also keep in mind that Warfare itself is entering a new stage, like the 60s and 1880s. The things we know now might not even be relevant in 30 years. Hypersonic weapons, Lasers, automous systems, and nanotechnology will redefine warfare as we know it. China and America will be at the spear's tip when it comes to this stuff.
The fundamental motive is very different, ideological Soviets tried to gain offensive advantage over the US i.e. annihilate US capitalism from earth, while
China focus on doing business in the current status quo which is so far very happy. Now major powers just maintain "minimum" (each has own definition though) strategic deterrance (ICBM, SSBN, SSGN, etc you may include ASAT, TMD) vs each other, just to ensure no one is suicidal enough to press the button, other than that pure waste of money.
China's intention is clear, while it's business going global, the current status quo might not be able to provide security to their interests (we've seen Sudan, ISIS, hostile soverign governments), hence PLA is compelled to develop its projection capability of conventional forces. Again, this "minimal" concept applies here. Taking into account of defense spending vs taxpayers' willingness (I for one hate see my hard earned money wasted), I cannot expect China to build a navy anywhere close to the size of USN (American taxpayers get used to pay for big defence budgets).