[Jeff Head]

An update to my January 2004 Article.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...update to last year's article.

[robowombat]

So once more will it be that 'Midway is East' and will the result be the same?

[mylife]

Type 93 nuclear fast attack Sub

Dont forget that buying up chinese goods directly funds this buildup

[hattend]

BTTT

[robowombat]

What another commentator offers:

The PRC and Taiwan

With the war on terror and ongoing problems in Iraq, it's been easy to lose sight of Communist China. But the People's Republic has been busy since the United States toppled Saddam Hussein nearly two years ago. Last year, the PRC boosted defense spending by about 11 percent. In recent months, it has been quietly ratcheting up an aggressive posture toward Taiwan. Few in the United States notice because our attention is diverted elsewhere, but that doesn't mean the problem isn't there. Nor does it reduce the likelihood of conflict in the Straits of Taiwan.

The most recent illustration of the new Chinese bellicosity was last week's announcement that they will "crush" Taiwan if the latter formally declares independence from the mainland. As The Washington Times reported, China's annual defense review "National Defense in 2004" warns that China "will never allow anyone to split Taiwan from China through whatever means." It says U.S. military assistance to Taiwan "send a wrong signal to the Taiwan authorities" and "does not serve a stable situation across the Taiwan Strait." And it also says that if Taiwan declares independence, "the Chinese people and armed forces will resolutely and thoroughly crush it at any cost."
Secretary of State Colin Powell downplayed the significance of those statements. "I think everybody realizes that this is not the time to escalate tensions in the straits, and we hope that will continue to be the case," he said.

But the Chinese capability to follow through has never been better. Its 11 percent defense spending boost helped buy more Russian attack aircraft like the Su-30 strike fighter, a better space program including intelligence satellites, Russian Sovremennyy destroyers and other systems. The Pentagon's annual report on the PRC released in May details these and more, and concludes that "China's aspirations and efforts to achieve great power status have accelerated in recent years, especially the past two, as China's leaders have evinced a greater sense of confidence in the international arena." Two months after that report's release, the Washington Times reported that China is proving to have capabilities American intelligence didn't even know about. In July, it launched a new class of attack submarines that intelligence officials called a "technical surprise." So, the PRC's drive in recent years to build its military seems to have paid considerable dividends.

What does China plan to do with its new military heft? Clearly in part it hopes to send a message to the United States as we conduct operations in the Middle East and wage the war on terror. The Pentagon suggests a defensive rationale for the buildup. "China's leaders appear to have concluded that the net effect of the U.S.-led campaign has been further encirclement of China, especially by placing U.S. military forces in Central Asia, strengthening U.S. defense relations with Pakistan, India and Japan, and returning the U.S. military to Southeast Asia," the DoD report concludes. But China may also be seeking to enhance its position on Taiwan while the United States looks toward the Middle East. We hope the PRC's hostile posture is just that — a posture — but the recent trends suggest the possibility of something altogether different.

[Phsstpok]

I wonder if there's any connection to this little news item:

B-2 bombers headed to Guam (first time ever)

posted today.

[Rebelbase]

Watch your back.

[jpsb]

Calling all wal-mart shoppers;

[Paul Ross]

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Time to modernize and bring back the Iowa-class battleships. This would be a relatively inexpensive and yet effective strengthening of the Pacific fleet.

[Bald Eagle777]

Jeff,

Check out this board:

http://bbs.people.com.cn/bbs/mlbrd?to=65

Web site that displays anti-US sentiment. US Carriers also noted (negatively). Not good. They even quoted part of my commentary on an article I posted on FREEREP. 3/3. Their sentiments have a decidedly anti-US bluster/bravado and should be noted carefully, particularly if said comments include US CVBG. They don't seem to be a big fan of GW either.

[Eaker]

Thanks for the ping and the info Jeff!!

Finished your book a few days ago.

Great story!!!

[who knows what evil?]

Buy Chinese, and help our "friends" build even more 'wonderful toys'.

[Paul_Denton]

Aegis system in China? I guess clinton sold that stuff too. The Aegis is the worlds most powerful anti-fighter and anti-missile system and the backbone of protecting aircraft carriers.

[windchime]

Thanks for the ping, Howlin!

Great post, Jeff! Produced an anxiety attack. ;)

[tom paine 2]

The diesel electric subs are a joke. They would not last ten minutes in a war.

[Just another Joe]

It's amazing that some people still refuse to see what's in front of their eyes.

[Onyxx]

I have the hard cover version of the Novel(s). Glad to see somebody else up on the threat.

Ping

[quantfive]

Thanks for the update Jeff!

[Indie]

Thank you for this post!

And seeing as one of our carrier captains allowed himself to be buzzed by Russian fighters unnoticed and unmolested...THAT makes me worry about our defensive balls. PC will get ya' killed in short order out there.