U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified at a recent Senate committee hearing that the Department of Defense (DOD) has five specific strategies for confronting China’s “growing assertiveness."

Austin testified May 16 at the Senate Appropriations Committee review of President Joseph Biden's budget requests for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24); Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo also testified to the committee, the DOD reports in the transcript of Austin's remarks.

Austin, in his opening statement, said he was "grateful to Congress for recognizing the urgency of the China challenge and taking bipartisan action to meet it."

Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin (left), Sec. of State Antony Blinken and Sec. of Commerce Gina Raimondo testify at the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the FY24 budget. | Twitter/Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III

Austin testified the DOD's budget request addresses China’s aggression by "investing more than ever in a formidable, innovative fighting force and a more resilient force posture in the Indo-Pacific," the transcript reports. The request includes a 40% increase for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative over FY2023, "to an all-time high of $9.1 billion," Austin said. 

The DOD is utilizing "five key points" to tackle security challenges posed by the PRC, Austin stated, foremost is "focusing the entire Department on continuing to out-pace the PRC."

“…the PRC is our only competitor with both the intent and, increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international system to suit its autocratic preferences,” Austin said. “Beijing has increased its bullying and provocations in the Indo-Pacific. It's embarked upon a historic military buildup, including in space and cyberspace.”

Federal departments working together as one team will help the DOD “prevail in strategic competition,” Austin said about the department's second point.

“And that demands even closer cooperation with our colleagues at the Departments of State, Commerce, and elsewhere,” Austin said. “We work with the Department of State to help prevent conflicts from breaking out in the first place. We protect the free and open trade lanes that drive the world economy. We're supporting the Department of Commerce's leading role in implementing the CHIPS and Science Act. And we work closely with Commerce to advance our technological advantages.”

The third key point is the department's determination “to keep the Indo-Pacific free and open,” Austin said, by continuing to support a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

"Most countries in the region share a common vision of an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific free of bullying and coercion," Austin testified, according to the transcript. "We're proud to stand together with them."

The DOD's fourth key strategy involves working with the administration to deepen ties with its alliances, Austin said.

"We're working with our friends around the Indo-Pacific and the world through security cooperation and assistance, and through combined operations and exercises. We're also working to develop innovative new capabilities and deepen integrated deterrence," he said, a strategy that in recent months "has produced historic results."

Austin said his fifth point is that Congress can ensure the U.S.’ “strategic advantage” by approving “an on-time appropriation that supports the President's budget request,” Austin said.

“No amount of money can buy back the time that we lose when we're forced to operate under continuing resolutions,” Austin said. “…We're not just shaping our military but America's entire strategy to compete and lead.”

Austin commented on social media about his testimony "on America’s strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China."

"I was glad to be joined by @SecBlinken and @SecRaimondo," Austin tweeted May 16. "To compete and succeed, we must use all tools of American power."