There is so little need (ahem..) for our military to defend our soil and our people that we have to think of new ways to use them....
“There is no aspect of our agenda of the 21st century leadership where the women and men of the Defense Department do not have a role — whether it’s helping curb the pandemic here at home and around the world; or addressing the real threats of climate change that already is costing us billions in impacts on our bases, on our national security; or being part of an ongoing fight for racial justice.”
China of course is no longer a threat....
In terms of military strength, China isn't a conventional threat, as they do not have the ability to project their might globally. Against the US - again, in a conventional conflict - they would be badly outmatched.
Having said that, China is a nuclear power with an estimated 320 warheads, so it's not as if they are quaking in their boots. But in nuclear warfare, how you utilize your troops is of little consequence.