Seriously, "Aircraft Carrier" is Not a Synonym for "Sea Power"

China has a long way to go in building carrier strike groups and the skilled crews to operate them. But don't think this obstacle means China's efforts to challenge the United States Navy are futile.

Sure:

China will eventually become the world’s No 2 aircraft carrier power, trailing only the United States, but its carrier strike group air crews are still far below international standard, military experts say. ...

“It’s still a long way to go for Chinese carrier strike group crews to catch up their US counterparts,” [Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong] added.

But saying that China's long road to carrier proficiency means China can't challenge America and our allies for control of the seas (around China, anyway) gives too great a role to carriers in that mission.

UPDATE: Related information in a pre-publication update: No ship type lasts forever as the dominant weapon.