Few Americans have heard of Liang Guanglie, but his name comes up a great deal in discussions within the U.S. national-security establishment. Liang, 70, is a career military officer and since 2008 has been China's Defense Minister — the equivalent of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He is presiding over the rapid rise in Beijing's defense spending, a subject of increasing concern in Washington. Under Liang, the Chinese military has developed its first aircraft carrier, tested a stealth fighter and made significant strides in both cyber- and space warfare. If China does become a legitimate military rival to the U.S. in the Pacific, as many defense planners believe is inevitable, Liang — perhaps more than anyone else — will have helped make that possible.