China is building a massive ship that should scare Americans about the future

An enormous vessel taking shape near Guangzhou, China, appears designed to refuel, rearm and resupply Chinese carrier groups far from home. At roughly 885 feet long, it could become the world’s largest dedicated naval replenishment ship.

Every Army officer learns the same lesson: weapons attract attention, but logistics decides who can stay in the fight.

The ship does not prove that war is imminent. It does, however, fit a larger pattern. China is building the physical, industrial...