Who can win in South China Sea clashes?

On target: The PLA recently held a series of anti-aircraft drills off the South China Sea. — eng.chinamil.com.cn/Shang Wenbin

IF the current tense situation in South China Sea leads to military clashes between China and the United States, who will have the upper hand? This is a hot question asked by many who are monitoring developments in the region.

Without a blink, most people are likely to say the US will reign over China as America is a more advanced military/defence power with vast combat experience in the many past and present wars it has provoked or created in various parts of the world.