Given that the United States has the largest military budget in the world, why does China have a larger navy?

 Imagine if you have 30 of these

And I have 3 of these

Though a navy may boast a larger number of ships, true naval strength is measured in terms of tonnage, firepower, and operational reach. For instance, while China’s navy currently has more vessels than the U.S., it lacks comparable reach. China’s ability to project naval power is limited, making its navy largely a regional force, with restricted influence beyond nearby waters. This limitation exposes China’s economy to significant risks along key global shipping lanes.

Countries such as Iran, Oman, the UAE, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia control crucial points along these lanes. In a conflict scenario, even a coalition of smaller nations in these regions could severely disrupt China’s economy by blocking shipments of critical imports—such as oil, natural gas, coal, fertilizer, and food—or preventing Chinese exports from reaching global markets. This would place the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in a difficult position with few viable options for response. By contrast, the United States could achieve similar goals by deploying an aircraft carrier group within striking distance of China’s coast, making it significantly harder for China to maintain open trade routes.

The U.S. Navy remains the largest and most capable in the world by tonnage, followed by Russia, with China trailing in third. Tonnage gives a more accurate sense of power, as it reflects not just numbers but also the weight and capacity of the ships, with heavier, more robust ships capable of longer missions, carrying more supplies, and supporting greater firepower. And beyond tonnage, the true measure of naval dominance lies in firepower and technological capabilities—areas in which the U.S. holds a decisive lead over the CCP navy.