The problem is that China is no japan...with a population 5 times the us's and manufacturing base far larger than the us, they may just give uncle sam the opportunity to put their money where their mouth is. The Chinese generals don't just shoot off the cuff remarks, whatever they say is very well thought out and calculated before they say it. and let's not forget, beginning with Vietnam and forward all the way to today, uncle sam has lost the appetite for putting up with getting body bags back...
Wars are destructive events in general,
but US have fought many over the course of years. Since 9/11, US struck 3 countries in total (Afghanistan in 2001; Iraq in 2003; Libya in 2011) and executed 'regime change' in all. Name one country which have gone this far in a long span.
Uncle Sam have not lost the appetite for putting up with getting body bags back; not even close. Check the list of American military operations
after the Vietnam War; it is not small, and I recall 6 at this instant. In fact, Americans have managed to minimize their casualties even in prolonged engagements by incorporating new set-of-tools and tactics in their methods of warfare; Vietnam War was a fantastic teacher on so many counts.
Sinking a USN CVBG is not a child's play. One can talk big from the safety of his/her home, or claim to be a war theorist, but China is lacking in operational exposure, and their is no guarantee that assets like DF-21D will deliver against a mobile force. At present, USN is the only force in existence with solid defenses against ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, and its operational footprint is vast (active in all oceans for decades). Their is no substitute for operational exposure, and what it can teach to the willing; ask any professional.
Anyways, look for this file on Google:
What it takes to successfully attack an American Aircraft Carrier - Lexington Institute