Chinese fleet's first visit to Guam-- heart of US forces in the Pacific

CPD ^ | 10.31.03

[Dr. Marten]

Chinese fleet's first visit to Guam-- heart of US forces in the Pacific

 

Very few Chinese have ever been to Guam. Ordinary people even have no idea about its location, except the knowledge that Guam is an important pivot on the defense line of the US army stationed in the Pacific. Media reports about Guam in recent years usually cause uneasiness to the Chinese, but now, this mysterious place is opened for the first time to Chinese warships.

At the invitation of the US Navy, a naval fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), composed of a "Shenzhen" missile destroyer and a "Qinghai Lake" comprehensive supply ship, paid a four-day visit to US military base of Guam in the Pacific, from October 22 to 25. Just one month before the event, two US warships visited the Zhanjiang Port, an important base of the Chinese navy.

It is reported that the US side attached great importance to the Chinese fleet's visit, and a grand welcoming ceremony was held at the Apra Harbor by both US navy commanders of troops stationed in Japan and Mariana. To secure a smooth, successful military activity, the US side checked carefully every detail of the receiving work, a US officer said.

Upon the arrival of "Shenzhen" and "Qinghai Lake", the Guam TV station made detailed reports at the earliest possible time, calling the event a "historic moment". Reuters also ran a comment immediately, saying the first Guam visit by Chinese fleet indicating the continuous warming of military ties between the two big countries in the Pacific.

Major bases of US forces in Guam (click to enlarge)

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"Military fortress" filled with friendliness

Labeled as a US "military fortress" in the Asia-Pacific region, Guam has long been shrouded in mystery. From a perspective of military geography, it is located at the southernmost tip of the Mariana Islands of the West Pacific, a port of best location between Southeast Asia and Hawaii. Among the 16 important global channels upon which the United States declared its intention to control, four are held by Guam. That's why the little island houses the command post of the Pacific Command of the US army as well as the headquarters of the navy force stationed in Mariana.

The Apra Harbor at which the Chinese fleet docked this time is a tightly guarded naval force base. It is divided into two harbors, inner and outer, embracing altogether 21 ports. The inner harbor alone can accommodate 50-odd warships. Besides, the Harbor can also hold 1,000-strong arsenals and oil depots, capable of storing nuclear arms, conventional weapons and 160,000 tons of oil. It is the base camp of the US 15th submarine unit, which incorporated two nuclear-powered attack submarines not long ago, and is expecting a third one next year. It is reported that there will be seven submarines of this type in Guam by 2015, and 11 by 2025. Furthermore, a large dredging project will soon be launched in the Harbor to enable it to dock aircraft carriers, the US navy disclosed. The Anderson Air Force Base, which is famous in the world, has 64 AGM-86 air launched cruise missiles and 24 strategic bombers deployed. The Agana Airport, a major base of reconnaissance and anti-submarine missions of the US army in the West Pacific, can hold 180 aircraft and now house two reconnaissance squadrons and one anti-submarine squadron, responsible for cruise missions on sea areas around Okinawa and Taiwan.

The Chinese fleet "entered the heart of US army in the Pacific", many US military experts said. While opinions shortly before the visit said the "ferocious" Guam base had taken China as its target---the US army there were controlling important international channels there, which conflicted with China's strategic interests; missiles and submarines deployed there were aiming at Beijing; the intelligence system at the island, running at full speed, never moved its eye off China...the little island, long been a place alien to Chinese people since the US military had been unwilling, and dared not, to let China in, is now suddenly filled with friendliness by extending voluntary invitation.

Chinese, US defense ministers come together

All analysts noticed that the Chinese naval fleet sailed into Guam on the currents of warming Sino-US relations. Even lowest-ranking diplomats of the two countries know that military exchange is like a "wind vane" most capable of reflecting changes in the relations between the two nations. Generally, military ties are the first to be stopped when bilateral relations take an unexpected turn, and the last to be resumed when the relations are improved. Recently, the frequent military exchanges indicate that the Sino-US relations have flown out of the low tide and entered into a normal track, showing a rosy developing trend. Just as the US navy put it in a statement, this time's visit settled down a stable relationship not only between the two navies, but also the two nations.

The China-US military exchanges turned an important page on October 24, when the Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, at the invitation of US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, arrived in New York for a visit. Before his arrival, Cao visited the Pacific Command of the US army in Hawaii, and West Point Military Academy on October 25.

Cao, who is also vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and a state councilor, is the first Chinese defense minister visiting the Pentagon since the last visit by former Defense Minister Chi Haotian in December, 1996. Rumsfeld was later quoted by Washington Times as saying that inviting Cao to visit the Pentagon is part of US government efforts to strengthen ties with China. Speaking from the US side, he called the military exchanges between the United States and China as proper, sensible and mutually beneficial.

Many Western analysts pointed out that the Pentagon visit by Chinese defense minister not only benefited the two armies, but would also exert a positive influence on the ties between the two countries. Associated Press (AP) reported that seeing the good developing trend, the Bush Administration has urged Rumsfeld-led Pentagon to realize normalization of military ties between China and America as early as possible.

By People's Daily Online staff member Li Heng

[theDentist]

Hi guys! C'mon in! Have a look around. Take special note of our defensive and offensive capabilities, in case you decide you need Guam out of the way when you strike for the heart of Taiwan. Sheesh.

[swarthyguy]

Oh, I'll be happy when the Chinese worshipping Clintonistas are gone....Wait.....Ooops!

[CO_dreamer]

You know, we could save a lot of tax dollars by outsourcing our military to China.

[Quix]

Given the relative intensities and successes at secrecy vis a vis the two governments,

it's hard for me to see the port exchange visits as

REALLY EQUAL

quid pro quo.

I suspect they got a lot more intel from us than we did from them.

Supposedly our sat intel is so much better it MIGHT not matter but I'm skeptical.

[Dr. Marten]

I really dont see what advantages we could gain from them in port-to-port visits.

1.We already possess far more technological advantages than the Chinese, so it's not like we have anything to gain there.

2. We already fly recon. missions on a regular basis. This provides us with a great deal of information in addtion to the inside connections that we have.

3. They are not going to be conducting any secret intel communications while in our ports due to the fact that they know we will be listening.

In short, yes, they are the ones gaining the advantage. I really do not have much more faith in Bush when it comes to China, than I did with Clinton. He may not be putting their people in the White House, but he isn't showing much of a backbone in dealing with the CCP either.

[Quix]

Sorry to say, I agree with your analysis.

We have supposedly mapped China to at least the square inch detail with our automatic/computer controlled UFO recon models.

Even if we hadn't, our satellites are supposely almost or equal to that degree of detail. Certainly our 'ears' are quite good.

But yeah, the decisions at the top seem to be either guided by the traitorous globalist puppet masters--or suicidal stupidity. I'm not 100% sure which is worse--though I'd rather take my chances with suicidal stupidity than with the treasonous puppet masters.

[veryone]

Navy's Top Officer Calls For A Global Naval Force
Clark Outlines Strategy For Combating Terrorism

The Day
10/28/2003
Newport, R.I.— The Navy's top officer outlined on Monday a strategy for fighting terrorism that calls for an international naval collaboration to share intelligence and resources in an unprecedented show of maritime force.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark described the proposal as a “maritime NORAD” in his opening speech at the 16th International Seapower Symposium at the Naval War College.

Clark spoke to representatives from 75 countries, among them about 60 navy and coast guard chiefs. By combining their strengths, he told them, terrorists would have no place to hide.

He said the navies of the world need to share intelligence about terrorist threats and coordinate resources to make the maximum use of every warship, plane or submarine, rather than having them work on redundant tasks.

“We have an opportunity of historic proportions — to assemble a maritime partnership the likes of which has never been seen before,” Clark said. He said he envisions “a global force, operating as one to defeat terrorism wherever it may fester, the greatest maritime force to ever set sail.”

“We are combating an enemy that will risk everything to drive a stake between the nations of the world,” he said. “We must stand, shoulder to shoulder, to defend against this enemy.”

Clark described the following as models for the collaboration he proposes:

• Operation Sea Cutlass, which involves warships of five countries to strike at terrorists off the Horn of Africa. It was initially commanded by a German admiral and is now commanded by a French admiral.

• Operation Active Endeavor, a NATO initiative under command of an Italian admiral, has monitored more than 30,000 ships transiting the Straits of Gibraltar in the last two years. It escorted more than 340 ships thought to be potential targets of terrorists.

•In mid-2002, as the United States geared up for war against Iraq, the Indian navy escorted two supply ships through the straits of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Clark said one way to accomplish the international maritime coalition is to keep expanding the existing collaborations until they overlap and encompass all the world's oceans. The system could take any form, he said, and the U.S. Navy would not have to lead it.

“It can be formal or informal,” he said. “The key is we have to talk, and we have to start talking today, at this conference, about the tools we're going to need to do it. We may not perfectly define the solutions in the next two days, but we can lay the groundwork.”

The strategy, he said, would be the nautical equivalent of the North American Air Defense Command, which since 1958 has protected the airspace over Canada and the United States with multilayered radar.

“I'm looking for a maritime NORAD, so we share, globally, information and intelligence, and we optimize our resources,” Clark said.

•••••More than 150 delegates from about 75 countries registered for the symposium, which has been a biennial event since 1969. The 2001 symposium, however, was cancelled because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

The symposium was established to foster navy-to-navy cooperation in an academic setting, which removes many of the restrictions that might be imposed in a diplomatic get-together.

Clark noted that about 30 percent of the world's economy depends on international trade, and 99.7 percent of that commerce travels by sea, in more than 46,000 vessels serving about 4,000 ports. Trade links, he said, are tempting targets for terrorists because they can disrupt global commerce with a single act.

In the two years since the Sept. 11 attacks, Clark said, there has been a sevenfold increase in maritime interventions by the world's navies and coast guards.

Terrorists have launched attacks from the sea to disrupt entire economies, he said. He cited the suicide bombers who attacked the French tanker Limburg off Yemen a year ago, killing a crewman and dumping 100,000 barrels of oil into the sea.

The long-term consequences from that incident continue, Clark said, noting the following:

• Insurance premiums immediately tripled for ships entering Yemeni ports, and some shipping lines dropped the country from their schedules.

• Container traffic dropped by more than 90 percent.

• Some 3,000 jobs have been lost as a result of the environmental and economic disruption.

The Yemeni government estimates that the terrorists have cost the country $15 million a month, about 1 percent of its gross domestic product, he said.

Clark said that terrorists are using the seas to smuggle weapons, drugs and people, and using the money from their smuggling to fund terrorist acts.

Also, he said, in the first half of this year there were 234 documented acts of piracy, many of them politically motivated.

“This was the worst six-month period since the International Maritime Bureau started compiling piracy statistics in 1991, and a full 34 percent increase over the same period last year,” Clark said. “All over the world, our sea lines of communications are under attack.

“When you look at us collectively, together we have the resources and assets to spread all over the world. None of us, individually, can watch the whole world.”

[Consort]

Naval Ensign

[Dr Warmoose]

I really do not have much more faith in Bush when it comes to China

How soon we forget the act of war that China provoked when they forced a US military plane to land, and then stripped it of its technology while holding our soldiers hostage.

But how can we forget Bush's deliberate blindness to the evils of Islam. Every day he makes it a point to tell us that these wild animals are really peaceful. That explains why the Muslims of all stripes have declared Jihad on the West - because they love peace.

[csvset]

Santa Rita, Guam (Oct. 22, 2003) -- The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) guided missile destroyer Shenzhen (DDG 167) enters Apra Harbor, Guam. The Shenzhen and the oiler Quinghai Hu (AO 885) are making the People's Republic of China's first ever port call to Guam. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller.

[WesternPacific]

The enlarged map of Guam still list Naval Air Station Agana, Guam. This Naval Air station was closed about 10 years ago. The Naval base in the south and Anderson Air Force base in the north are still operational. Their intelegence is lacking.

[Quix]

i THINK they should round up all the masses of invading snakes on the island and have them compile the Chinese welcoming party.

Tee Hee.

[Dr. Marten]

"How soon we forget the act of war that China provoked when they forced a US military plane to land, and then stripped it of its technology while holding our soldiers hostage"

Yes, But it seem that everyone has overlooked how Mr. Bush handled the situation. He didnt!

He kissed Red Chinese ASS! Any President with a backbone would have answered that with carrier fleets off the Chinese coast. Not to mention a strategic strike on the plane itself.
.

[Delta 21]

I left that island paradice last year. I could have taken the Chiefs Mess out and shown them a real good time. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Too bad you missed this golden opportunity.
I'll let you know when they get to Coos Bay.

[GOP_1900AD]

At some point, those promoting "engagement" must be publicly labelled as traitors. Courtmartial trials to begin forthwith.

[Travis McGee]

bttt

[Jeff Head]

The DDG pictured in post 13 and the follow on classes to it that are already coming off the ways in CHina, figure heavily into my novel series, The Dragon's Fury Series, as does Guam. Huge battle there as the Chinese and their allies push eastward in Volume II.

[Travis McGee]

It's hard to think of any chunk of land anywhere with more strategic importance in the coming conflict than Guam!