Posted on 06/26/2005 12:29:08 PM PDT by Halgr
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China is building its military forces faster than U.S. intelligence and military analysts expected, prompting fears that Beijing will attack Taiwan in the next two years, according to Pentagon officials. U.S. defense and intelligence officials say all the signs point in one troubling direction: Beijing then will be forced to go to war with the United States, which has vowed to defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack. China's military buildup includes an array of new high-technology weapons, such as warships, submarines, missiles and a maneuverable warhead designed to defeat U.S. missile defenses. Recent intelligence reports also show that China has stepped up military exercises involving amphibious assaults, viewed as another sign that it is preparing for an attack on Taiwan. "There's a growing consensus that at some point in the mid-to-late '90s, there was a fundamental shift in the sophistication, breadth and re-sorting of Chinese defense planning," said Richard Lawless, a senior China-policy maker in the Pentagon. "And what we're seeing now is a manifestation of that change in the number of new systems that are being deployed, the sophistication of those systems and the interoperability of the systems." China's economy has been growing at a rate of at least 10 percent for each of the past 10 years, providing the country's military with the needed funds for modernization. The combination of a vibrant centralized economy, growing military and increasingly fervent nationalism has transformed China into what many defense officials view as a fascist state.
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Energy supply a factor For China, Taiwan is not the only issue behind the buildup of military forces. Beijing also is facing a major energy shortage that, according to one Pentagon study, could lead it to use military force to seize territory with oil and gas resources.
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(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Something even more important to the commies is the US election. If hillary wins they won't have any opposition. If mcbain wins he will lead the charge againest taiwan.
Agreed. It sounds like Gertz, as he often does, rounds up a bunch of worst case Pentagon scenarios and writes them up as if they represent the latest Pentagon position.
All that does is leave a whole lot of room for a bunch of weenies to wiggle out of everything. Sure it has some strong words but it doesn't say anything about gaurranteeing the use military force. It is typical political mumbo-jumbo. Nothing will be done, and especially if a rat wins the Presidency. Read it again and I think you will agree with me.
Maybe an asteroid will hit Beijing.
I hafta wonder if George B will demand that the sea lanes stay open from China to Wal-Mart...
==Agreed. It sounds like Gertz, as he often does, rounds up a bunch of worst case Pentagon scenarios and writes them up as if they represent the latest Pentagon position.
C'mon boys...Red China is very open about the fact that they consider the US the MAIN ENEMY. I am very thankful that Gertz and others are informing us what Red China is doing to carry out their stated intentions.
One small difference...China's likely to shoot back...
ping
After they purchase Unocal, if we try to send a carrier group into the China Sea as a show of force, they'll just shut off the oil. I cannot believe that anything good will come out of the chinese military having access to energy production facilities on the North American continent.
I'm half expecting them to go into Siberia, a la Clancy's novel.
No, China & Russia are allies. They signed a Military defense treaty in the early summer of 2001. The United States is in serious peril. You have the internal enemies, traitors in this country (MSM, Democrats, RINOS) trying to divide the country over Iraq & other issues. Also, the latest Supreme Court decision regarding the expansion of Eminent Domain makes all Private land available for public use, think COLLECTIVIZATION. Externally, are enemies are encircling us. Russia, with its technology has formed an alliance with China, Brazil, Venezuela & Islam vast human resources. Russia also has a military alliance with Iran.
Who was President of the United States in the mid-90s...oh yeah...Slick Willie...thanks a lot, Bubba...
The primary killer of ChiCom subs will be our subs. The ChiCom's aren't even in the same league. They actually don't have much in terms of quantity.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/navy.htm
"The actual number of operable Romeo-class units is difficult to assess, since none of these submarines spends more than a few days at sea each year, and because of the general shortage of trained crews. Construction of their replacements -- the "Ming-class" (which is actually a remodeled R-model) and Song-class submarines -- is proceeding at the rate of about one a year. "
Well, he's turning into Joseph Farah.
Also, he's giving his audience (much of which you see on FR) what they want.
The LAST thing his audience wants is an objective analysis of the PRC military.
bflr
I think it would be best if everybody in Taiwan just relocated. Let China have the real estate, after it's gutted like John Galt's closet. Cheaper for the whole world, than a US-China war.
Eventuality IMO.....they have been watching us waste time and money over oil issues and they figure it's just one more tool in their kit bag.
How strong are the Taiwanese forces to repel a Chinese assault? Do they have a decent air force? Is there a militia of Taiwanese people who could defend the beaches and fight on the land?
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