If it's any consolation, a US-China war will likely be naval in nature. Unlike WW2's land theaters in Russia or China, a naval conflict will have significantly

If it's any consolation, a US-China war will likely be naval in nature. Unlike WW2's land theaters in Russia or China, a naval conflict will have significantly fewer civilian casualties. This will be a fight where China tries to turn its surrounding seas into a no-go zone for the US navy and dominate oil supply lines through the Indian ocean that will secure its oil flow and allow it to pressure its East Asian neighbors. The US navy will try to maintain control of East Asia's oil shipping and degrade China's military capabilities enough to force China to the negotiating table where they can then impose formal limits on China's post-surrender military and set up a permanent military presence in Taiwan close enough to pre-emptively attack any future military buildup. Neither military is primarily concerned with seizing large tracts of civilian populated land and the bloody mess that would entail.