Posted on 03/23/2007 1:55:16 PM PDT by Paul Ross
Friday, March 23, 2007 9:32 a.m. EDT
Gen. Pace: China Missile Test 'Confusing'
China's anti-satellite missile test in January sent a confusing message to the world about its military plans, the United States' top military officer said on Friday, urging Beijing to be more open.
Marine General Peter Pace, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the United States would like to observe more Chinese exercises and suggested a hot line between the two militaries could be useful.
China shot down an aging weather satellite on January 11, but waited more than a week before officially confirming it. The government denies the test could stoke an arms race in space, and repeated that it opposes using weapons in space.
Pace said he told his Chinese counterparts it was essential that China let the world know its military intentions.
"I used the example of the anti-satellite test as how sometimes the international community can be confused, because it was a surprise, and it wasn't clear what their intent was," he told a news conference during his first visit to China.
"And when things are not clear, and there are surprises, then it tends to confuse people and raise suspicions," Pace added.
"You don't have to agree or disagree with any particular country's objective, but it's very helpful to understand what those objectives are and why they're going in that direction," said Pace, who leaves China on Sunday.
But he said the Chinese had given him no further details on the test, nor had they said what their intention was in carrying it out.
Analysts say China could use its ability to down satellites to counter any spy satellite support that Washington might offer Taiwan if war were to break out between the self-ruled island and the mainland.
China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the self-governed democracy of 23 million people back under mainland rule, by force if necessary.
The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, recognizing "one China", but is Taiwan's main arms supplier and is obliged by the Taiwan Relations Act to help the island defend itself.
Pace also said it was important Beijing provided more information on its military budget, which will rise 17.8 percent this year to almost $45 billion.
It was important to know "not only how much of a nation's resources are being put into the budget, but what is that money buying? What is the intent of that buying?", said the Vietnam War veteran.
Pace, who described his talks with Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and other Chinese officials as friendly and candid, said setting up a hot line to avoid misunderstandings would be a good step forward, as would doing officer exchanges.
"The biggest fear I have of the future is miscalculation, misunderstanding based on misinformation," he said.
On Taiwan, a major irritant in Sino-U.S. ties, the general said he repeated the official U.S. line to the Chinese, which is that Washington does not support the island's independence.
Pace said he did not believe war over Taiwan was inevitable.
"I believe that there are good-faith efforts amongst all the leadership to prevent that, and that's what we can focus on - not how to fight each other, but how to prevent military action," he said.
Obviously you are mistakenkly assuming the miscalculation will be on the part of the Chinese. Bet you haven't considered that you could be "miscalculating" based on a " misunderstanding based on misinformation,"
I have had it to HERE with the Panda-Huggers.
China can now shoot down satellites. Probably with US Tech gotten during the klinton administration.
I'm not confused. Any US satellite is now at risk.
I'm sure the Chinese are likewise "confused" by the lack of American resolve and continued appeasement.
And these analysts can only say that China might shoot down satellite help we lend to Taiwan?? Uh, our entire military depends on satellite intel and communications. The Chinese can blind our military in the Pacific. the satellites tehy are talking about are united States satellites, plus we are pledged to defend Taiwan if it is attacked. this has to do with directly attacking us, not blowing up something we "loan" to Taiwan.
We better get our heads out of our rears.
It is a good idea, really. Pragmatic in intent and an effort that seek sound solutions.
Do you suppose, the next administration will "appease" China less or more? My bet is that the next administration, whether Democrat or Republican, will move US/China relations even further along.
NO cheers, unfortunately.
Hint: When China is bragging about their strength, they are in fact weak. Hit them at that point, HARD!
When China is whining about weakness, bolster YOUR OWN defenses against that point and look for a way to counterattack.
Read The Art of War and APPLY it. Dork.
No question about that. Clearly, the Administration is still not taking to heart the enmity of the Chi-Comms...nor recognizing the complete failure to "reform" China with economic transfusions....which, with half all investments being surrendered up front, along with the intellectual capital, are all under the very real ultimate control of the Communist Party...
Ah, but General, that would totally spoil the surprise...Yours of course!
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