Posted on 11/17/2004 10:32:59 AM PST by TapTheSource
CHINA WATCHES, WAITS: MASSIVE MILITARY BUILD-UP, MAJOR ESPIONAGE EFFORT
November 17, 2004 By Toby Westerman Copyright 2004 International News Analysis Today www.inatoday.com
Despite assurances from just-resigned Secretary of State Collin Powell regarding U.S.-China relations, the second term of the administration of George W. Bush could encounter a major war in the Pacific, and is witnessing a major espionage offensive.
Communist China is demonstrating an increasingly high level of aggression and military intrusion against its neighbors, engaging in actions which could pull the United States into a naval war in the Pacific.
Taiwan faces invasion - possibly at any moment -- from China, at least one Chinese submarine has intruded into Japanese waters, and, most amazingly, Chinese intelligence services have been able to acquire a file of personal data on nearly every inhabitant on the island of Taiwan. Communist China's spy services have targeted and succeeded in obtaining files on military service records, vehicle and household registration, and national health data, according to the Taiwan news daily, the Taipei Times.
China claims Taiwan as a rebel province. The government on Taiwan, known formally as the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC), fled to the island following its defeat at the hands of Communist forces on the mainland. Although the U.S. no longer has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the U.S. remains committed to the island under the terms of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act.
China's ability to compromise nearly every citizen of Taiwan, including the highest ranking military and governmental personnel, raises alarming questions concerning Beijing's espionage capabilities directed against other opponents, including the United States. Already in the mid and late 1990s, newspaper headlines reported the loss of important U.S. military and technology secrets to China. It is an open question as to how far Beijing has gone in the penetration and documentation of American society.
The mainland Communist government remains adamant in its determination to invade at the first declaration of Taiwan independence, and recent statements from Beijing declare that Taiwan is "playing with fire" as it presses for recognition as a separate nation.
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has vowed to seek a membership for Taiwan in the United Nations as an independent state, further enraging Beijing.
China is conducting an impressive modernization of its armed forces, which leads Pentagon observers to warn that Beijing could eventually rival U.S. forces in the Pacific. China is building an increasingly sophisticated military to successfully obstruct any U.S. attempt to aid Taiwan in case of Communist invasion.
China's military capabilities potentially not only threaten Taiwan, as China's disputes with its neighbors grow and as the nations in the Asia-Pacific region keep a wary eye on the increasingly powerful Red Dragon.
Japanese naval forces recently hunted a foreign submarine intruding into Japan's territorial waters. Indications from the sub's identifiable sounds and its course of sail pointed to Communist China as its nation of origin.
The incident occurred 75 miles south of a group of disputed islands, known as the Senkaku to the Japanese and Diaoyu to the Chinese, highlighting the contest between Japan and China for oil and gas resources believed to exist in the region.
Following two days of international crisis, China finally admitted that the "mystery" sub was theirs, and claimed a "technical error" for the intrusion.
The United States Navy is the only major force in the Pacific belonging to a democratic nation, and America remains committed to the defense of Taiwan, Japan and other allies in the region.
In 1958, the U.S. fought alongside Taiwanese forces in a deadly artillery conflict with China's Peoples Liberation Army, and in the following years sent naval forces on several occasions to deter a mainland attack on Taiwan.
As China's power grows, so too will the challenge to the U.S. presence in the region, and America's commitment to its allies.
My friend, they have already chosen.
"A lot of American companies are risking a lot of capital by investing in China."
And risking their dignity and respect for our country.
Read SSN and The Bear and the Dragon by Tom Clancy. The man is a prophet.
Well, I don't really give a hoot if China wants to invade Taiwan. I'm too busy and scared.
What's "must not" about it?
"Let me ask you a question. So what if China invades Taiwan. I mean, what if we just turned our heads and said it is local affair between the same peoples but with differences politically?"
- Maybe you're right Mr. Chamberlain, but does the expression, "paper tiger" ring a bell?
Nope. I don't capice. If Taiwan can't help in the WOT (and I'd like to see a source for your assertion that Bush does not want their help), we can't help Taiwan. I'm sick of the Frances of this world.
How are they such good friends?
Dittoes. I've read through all the posts and smell a "seminar"--a little PR campaign. Hegemony for me and thee.
"Uh, the Chinese are Communists, and the only way you can "work out your differences" with Communists is to become a Communist yourself, or run them into the ground like Reagan did."
Well said. Of course, we would have disagreements about the last part...but we wouldn't disagree for Reagan's lack of trying. Had Golitsyn defected during Reagan's presidency (as opposed to JFK's) I think the world would be a lot safer place right now.
"As the citizens of China experience a rising standard of living they will throw out the communists just like they tried to do in 1989."
Red China will not allow a middle class to develop and challenge their rule, that's why they employ slave labor.
"Thank you, TTS, for the heads up on the link in post#88."
Thank you. I have several more links that I think you will find of great interest. Let me know if you would like me to ping them to you.
"Wasn't Reagan the one who abandoned the grain embargo against the USSR?"
Very true. It was one of the few good things Carter ever did during his presidency. Oh well, no President is perfect.
Or, Southeast Asia. In that case, the whole "can they or can't they handle amphibious ops" cannard become irrelevant. For them, taking SE Asia would be simple blitzkreig - tanks, guns, trucks, TELs, etc.
My biggest concern is SE Asia. No one has looked at that scenario in any depth. I know. I have looked in many places for substantial studies. Almost nada - everything is about Taiwan.
"Let me get this straight, they are considered our good ally, yet they are told by President Bush not to put up 2 or 3 hundred troops to serve in Iraq as a show of alligence to us, because that will make China invade Taiwan?"
Chaing Kai-Shek offered to fight the Red Chinese in Korea for us (the US/UN prevented his troops from entering the fight)...he made this offer knowing that Commie-symps in the State Dept. and elsewhere in our government sold him out in favor of Mao. They have also been a major check on Red China for many years since then. In short, cut Taiwan some slack.
"Taiwan. The Israel of Asia."
Man, that's brilliant! You hit the nail right on the head with that one.
Huh?
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