at the current trajectory and our current trajectory. If you look at how they have grown and the path they are on economically and military wise they are poised(not 100% of course) to pass us as the #1 super power. Think about where they were 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago and where they are now.
You do bring up good points and their vulnerability. We make things(or did). We design and engineer things. We think of things a concept or idea and make it happen. Our strong asset of ours. They steal things and reverse engineer it. However, can they catch up? Some areas they have. Think of drones. They are a leader and in some areas way past us in catergories
Now think of strength and weakness. THis is from a CIA analyst(former). Think of the telephone. We had land lines and then went celluar. We cam up with the concept, idea, and implentation of the cellular network and phone. The Chinse skipped the land line portion and went straight to celluar. Why? They are emerging and don't tend to make things. Good and bad? Well, what if a cellular network goes down? hmmmmm, China on the surface seems advance. Wow, a billion people with cell phones!!! Weakness, what if that cellular network went down? USA goes back to land lines for communication(if we had to). CHina? Hosed. That may give something away if we ever go to war with them.
But, back to the point. Not that it will happen but on the current trajectory of both nations within 10 years they are going pass us. it is alarming. Look at their influence world wide, their growth, where they are expanding. Who is trying to broker peace in ukraine? China. Why? To be viewed as the big dog and controlling. You can't broker peace unless you have leverage. That is normally us.
Our weakness? Well, we basically invented the semi-condcutor, the chips? right? Good on America. Well, want to buy one made in the USA right now? Good luck. Need a battery made in USA? Good luck. You see where it goes? Hey great we invented the thing but we have to get it from somewhere.
I am not saying it will happen but it can and the odds are definitely increasing.