Posted on 05/24/2006 12:47:23 AM PDT by familyop
A new report by the U.S. Defense Department says China is continuing to increase its military capabilities in ways that have already altered the regional military balance and is causing concern about China's future intentions. The annual report is required by Congress.
The report says China is increasing its force of short range ballistic missiles that could attack Taiwan and other regional targets, and looking to buy or develop more advanced and capable aircraft and ships. The report says China is also increasing its high-technology ability to disrupt other countries' access to communications, computer networks and other services essential to modern defense, and society as a whole.
Assistant Secretary of Defense Peter Rodman says China appears to be preparing to project its military power beyond its immediate surroundings. "There are indications that they are thinking more broadly and at the very beginnings, perhaps, of developing power projection for other contingencies other than Taiwan," he said.
The report says such contingencies could involve conflicts over territory or resources. Last year's report on China came to a similar conclusion. But this year, the report adds that U.S. analysts have been 'surprised' by 'the pace and scope' of the modernization of China's strategic forces. And Rodman says Chinese officials are also discussing possible revisions in their defense doctrines, including their pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict.
"What is interesting to us is the fact that there seems to be a debate going on there. As their capabilities improve it is possible to speculate that they may be looking at other options," he said.
Rodman says the United States accepts Chinese assurances that the 'no first use' doctrine is still in effect, but his concern on nuclear doctrine and China's growing military capability is for the future. "Certainly they have limitations now. We don't exaggerate their capability. And they, too, seem realistic about their capability. But they seem to have a very patient strategy of investment, planning, just growing over time. And five years from now, ten years from now, they can expect that maybe the balance of forces will be different than it is now," he said.
The assistant defense secretary says U.S. concerns are heightened because, although it has made some progress toward more openness, China continues to provide very limited information on its military programs and intentions, at a time when its military spending is increasing rapidly.
China analyst Daniel Blumenthal at the American Enterprise Institute, who used to handle China issues at the defense department, says U.S. policy has been to 'go slow' with China, and try to convince its leaders to use their growing power constructively. He supports that for now, but he says a more active U.S. response in terms of increasing its own military capabilities may be needed in the future. "At this point, I think we still need to push them into areas where we might gain cooperation, but I think that you also have to know when to say that that's not working, and be prepared to really balance against this military expansion," he said.
The U.S. government report says China continues to pursue an approach articulated by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, an approach that includes quiet development and hiding the country's true military capacity. Assistant Secretary Rodman says U.S. policy-makers keep that very much in mind. "It should be obvious from this report that we're watching pretty carefully and we know what we're dealing with," he said.
China strongly criticized last year's U.S. Defense Department report on its military. U.S. officials defended that report, saying it was factual and not inflammatory. This year, they say that while there is continuing cause for concern, there are only incremental changes to report.
I won't debate that, however I do find it interesting that Wal-Mart is the devil incarnate in all things, including being responsible for China to become the monster that ate the earth.
I had occasion to purchase a "Square D" well pump switch at Ace Hardware the other day.
Seems it was made in Mexico, and Square D is owned by a French corporation.
I am now guilty of supporting the French (spit-spit) and the Mexican's. (los gringo land here we come)
Am I a loser, or what?
Being currently assigned to Okinawa, I'm very aware of China's missile threat. All of us on the island are under the gun, so to speak.
And Bush did what to stop it?
In June 1941 Nazi Germany's largest trading partner was the Soviet Union.
And couple with this: About 10 years ago, didn't the PRC complain when we proposed to give/sell AEGIS-equipped ships to Taiwan because the enhanced ability to detect the PLA's increasingly aggressive activities was seen as 'provocative'? Didn't Clinton cave on this?
Well said.
China's been eclipsed by the War on Terror, but prior to 9/11 they were the topic around here.
Free traders don't understand that China's economy isn't about free trade, it's mercantilist and dedicated to making themselves top dog.
I'm wondering what's going to happen as energy prices go up (10% this week) ? They seem to be tweaking the nationalistic even racist tendencies of their populace, as if priming them for war. They haven't got enough women for their men, thanks to the one child policy. They're still carrying a torch over Japan's occupation.
Horney men from one-child homes, a declining economy, a strong ethnic (Han) identity, nervous political elites...
We're in for 'interesting times.'
This is bad news, just today morning I read in the newspaper Pakistan is buying 4 Chinese F22 frigates. China is building its navy along with that of its allies in the Indian Ocean in a big way. They are preparing for a showdown while US is caught up in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Japan is beginning to remilitarize in response to China's movees.Besides this, there is the oil in the South China Sea.
"I am just wondering. Is there any country out there that could invade us. like tomorrow could china just decide to invade the United States of America?"
No. And we can't just up and invade China. However, China could invade Taiwan and dare us to intervene. With Bush in office? We would intervene. With a RAT in office? Taiwan would lose.
China could also move into Mongolia, North Korea or any country formerly occupied by the Soviet Union and there wouldn't be a thing militarily that could be done, outside of some whining from the UN.
It is not possible. Even invading Taiwan is dubious.
You should also see the speed of Russia's military modernization/rebuilding. It is at a pace that has never been seen, even during the height of the cold war.
It is not just wal mart friend. It is nearly every business. Not just wal mart.
I know, now all retailers must sell Chicom goods to stay competitive, but 5 or 6 years ago it was just wal-mart. Wal-mart started it all.
Should China be able to humiliate the US say over Taiwan or some other incident US influence in the Pacific Rim will crumble and the Pacific Rim nations will ally/trade with the Chicoms not the USA.
Thank you very much free traders.
The Muslims today remind me of the Indian Alliances a few hundred years ago.
Interesting how history kind of repeats it’s self, the savages never seem to go away.
In those days France was the primary concern for the English. Russia and China should be our primary concern today. The savages shouldn't be our main concern.
China and Russia are also working together with Muslims in the Sudan.
China has been up to last year ‘kinda’ working with the Tali-ban and Al Qaeda until Al Qaeda declared a Jihad on China. Now China has plans in the works with Russia to invade Muslim territories someplace in Kazakhstan bordering Xinjiang Province. This isn’t a matter of ‘if’ it is a matter of when they will invade.
”If china invades Taiwan or continues to build up as if it is going to, then I would bet Japan starts a serious build up as well.”
As RobbyS points out Japan is re-militarizing and at a rate nearly as fast as the Chinese though Japan has much better equipment. Japan could still be taken in the near future with the new Alliance between China and Russia.
Wal Mart did not "start it." We have been importanting goods from China well before just Wal Mart did it. The USA has always done this. Shoe makers, even baseball gloves made in other countries. You can bash Wal Mart all you want if you desire, but Wal Mart is not the causer here. Wal Mart simply followed all the others before it.
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