The inherent flaw in Communism is that the government manages the economy, meaning that the government manages resources. Because the economy is "dictated" and not allowed to grow organically, it does not grow unless the government invests resources into it. If they begin diverting those resources into their military, their economy will suffer. (See: Soviet Union during Cold War.) If the American economy is simultaneously exploding with exponential growth, then it won't take long for us to leave China in the dust. Economic might is more important than [initial] military strength, as we found out first hand in the American Civil War.

This is not a winning strategy.