How are China's Type 052D destroyers shifting the balance in the western Pacific?

China’s Type 052D destroyer force is expanding in number and capability as the People’s Liberation Army Navy increases its presence across the western Pacific. A recent firing of the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile highlighted the class’s ability to employ newer long-range weapons from its vertical-launch system. The ships also combine phased-array radar, area air defence and multi-mission strike capabilities. Their growing deployment gives the PLAN more heavily armed surface combatants for regional operations and distant escort missions.