A 1930s Chinese flotilla defence against Japan

What ships should China have procured in the 1930s to prepare for war with Japan?

A layered flotilla force of submarines, destroyers, torpedo boats and aircraft, supported by a few cruiser flagships, offered a better chance than competing directly in capital ships.

China should avoid matching Japan capital ship for capital ship. An outer submarine screen would be followed by destroyer flotillas and torpedo boats under strong air cover, with a small number of heavy cruisers acting as flagships. The system aims to impose losses and uncertainty throughout the approach rather than risk the fleet in one unequal battle.