The navy admiral nominated to be the next US ambassador to Australia has told Congress America must prepare for the possibility of war with China, and said it would rely on Australia to help uphold the international rules-based system in the Asia-Pacific. In an excoriating assessment of Chinas increasingly muscular posture in the region, Harry Harris said Beijings intent is crystal clear to dominate the South China Sea and that its military might could soon rival American power across almost every domain.