Are we making too big of a deal about China's first aircraft carrier?

The China Teaching Web ^ | 8-12-2011 | Robert Vance

[robertvance]

On August 14th, 1912, the United States launched its first aircraft carrier, the USS Langley. This 11,500 ton ship served during both World Wars until its luck ran out near Java in 1942 and had to be abandoned and sunk in order to avoid capture by the Japanese.

Almost one hundred years later, China has just launched its first aircraft carrier and the U.S. State department is demanding to know why.

"We would welcome any kind of explanation that China would like to give for needing this kind of equipment," said Victoria Nuland, a State department spokeswoman.

Let me give you the explanation, Victoria. China is the world’s largest country and has recently become the second largest economy behind the United States. China is also the undisputed powerhouse in Asia. Is that a good enough explanation for you?

[dfwgator]

Yes, currently we have the economic version of “Mutually Assured Destruction”, China is trying to do everything they can to rectify that.

[dila813]

If I were the Chinese and all of a sudden found out that I had been fooled into taking a bunch of worthless paper in exchange for precious national resources that people died mining out of the ground, I might decide I had a right to revert back to the rules of war and the rules of spoils.

That would be an incredible bad day for the world, because once one country does it and gets away with it....it is going to be a global free for all.

You know those looters in London? Replace the Looters with countries...then you got the picture.

[dila813]

“we have become so co-dependent economically”

That isn’t going to save us if the global trade system breaks down.

[garjog]

“Figured out what? “Copy the British””

OK, what is great about Freepers is if you make a mistake, you are corrected quickly by guys who know what they are talking about.

I will go back and ask my buddy about what he meant. He really is an expert (wrote two books on Asia by major publishers) and just turned down a job as an adviser to the Navy about China. http://www.amazon.com/Rise-China-International-Security-America/dp/041555876X/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260815817&sr=1-7

[garjog]

Cool video. US Navy 2011-The Best Navy of The World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG7oNCsBZ-Y

[dragnet2]

However, since China is not threatening us or our allies, I don’t understand how we can demand that China tell us what it wants to do with the aircraft carrier.

Ya sure? The Chicoms have spy's right here. likely hundreds of them. Ya don't need a physical attack, to understand you can be undermined or harmed.

[buccaneer81]

He said something about our ability to protect them from nuclear radiation when a nuke explodes next to them by some kind of sea water washing system.

Not just carriers, but almost all the ships in our fleet are equipped with a washdown system.

[JDW11235]

Agreed. That scenario isn’t something that keeps me up at night, but is certainly something I think about, and certainly try to prepare for as best one can. Your comments have all been spot on, in my opinion. I’m off to bed this evening, and as such will take my leave, and thank you very much for the dialogue.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

NEVER underestimate the Communists, esp. the Red Chinese. They are much smarter than the Russians were, and have several thousand years of military history on their side.

Besides, the have read Sun tsu many times over, as well as Clausewitz, Bismarck, Patton, and Sir Robert Thompson, among others.

An aircraft carrier is an instrument to project a physical military presence, both visual and war-ready. With standoff cruise missiles and the “swarm technique” for outrider escorts, an aircraft carrier is a floating Navy, Army, and Air Force with a lot of teeth, and teeth can take a big bite out of you.

Intimidation first. Actual strikes later. Who is going to say “no” to a 1.6 billion people country who can field armies larger than many countries?

They have a robust military space program (anti-satellite); nuclear long-range ICBMs and shorter range missiles; a massive war-fighting industrial complex; more men than they need to conquer all of Asia and a part of Russia; a large, modern, and growing Air Force; a greatly expanding Navy including their submarine force; access to ports all over the world; spies in every major industrial country; massive foreign investment programs which give them entry into every country they are dealing with (and thus can influence; many covert supporters in nearly every country around the world worth influencing; and nobody willing to stand up to them.

As Alfred E. Neuman used to say, “What me worry?”

[buccaneer81]

You really are quite a China apologist.

[Digger]

Now that China has one, you wonder if they stole our secrets.

If so, I'll put that on the Arkansas trailer trash, Bubba.

[aquila48]

I’m not saying we should rely strictly on that.

Like I said, we need to stay a step ahead militarily as well. Right now we’re a mile ahead.

This is comparable to you having a Rolls, two Bmw’s and a Ferrari in the garage, and feeling threatened by your neighbor who never had a car, when he suddenly buys a toyota.

[NavyCanDo]

I read in Navy Times back during the Reagan Years when I was in the service - an American Navy ship passed a Soviet Navy ship in the Med. The Soviet signalman on its bridge signals “hows the 2nd largest Navy in the World”. The American ship's signalman sent a message back. “Just fine, hows the 2nd best?”

[garjog]

“Thanks for teaching me something new!”

Just read this 30 seconds before posting it myself.

[buccaneer81]

Figured out what? "Copy the British"

The Brits peaked withe their Carrier technology in the 1950s. Now they operate one glorified helicopter carrier that can launch sub-sonic fighters with a ramp. As Archie Bunker used to say, "Whoop dee do."

[robertvance]

Really? So pointing out that China has the right to operate an aircraft carrier makes me a Chinese apologist?

Even the Pentagon said that this was no surprise and that it was within their expectations.

I just don’t understand why the State Department has the right to demand that China give them specific details about this carrier.

[buccaneer81]

From your post #25:

However, since China is not threatening us or our allies,

You are either incredibly naive, or an apologist.

[garjog]

“They have a robust military space program (anti-satellite); nuclear long-range ICBMs and shorter range missiles; a massive war-fighting industrial complex;”

And don’t they have a significant Cyber War capability too? Haven’t they hacked top government and US corporations?

[robertvance]

Give me an example of how...

I’m making the contrast between China and Iran for example which wants to blow Israel off the map. We can (and should) demand that Iran be transparent about its military ambitions...

Not the same with China...

[ETL]

""We would welcome any kind of explanation that China would like to give for needing this kind of equipment,""

“We are creating a new world, a balanced world. A new world order, a multipolar world,” Chavez told reporters during a visit to Communist China, one of many. His “new world order” includes [RUSSIA], China, Iran,... and a significantly weakened United States, he explained.

Resurgent Communism in Latin America
by Alex Newman, March 16, 2010:

http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/world-mainmenu-26/south-america-mainmenu-37/3122-resurgent-communism-in-latin-america?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=
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From the Russian News and Information Agency:
July 27, 2006
"'I am determined to expand relations with Russia,' Chavez, known as an outspoken critic of what he calls the United States' unilateralism, told the Russian leader, adding that his determination stemmed from their shared vision of the global order.":
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060727/51913498.html
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From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html
______________________________________________________________

"Joint war games are a logical outcome of the Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed in 2001, and reflect the shared worldview and growing economic ties between the two Eastern Hemisphere giants."

http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed092605a.cfm
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President Obama and Venezuela dictator Hugo
Chavez at the 2009 Summit of the Americas in Trinidad.
Note the "soul bro" handshake. (my caption)

Obama, Chavez shake hands at Americas Summit:
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/04/17/2698451-obama-chavez-shake-hands-at-americas-summit
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Russia's Medvedev hails "comrade" Obama

Associated Foreign Press (AFP) ^ | April 2, 2009 | Anna Smolchenko

"Russia's Dmitry Medvedev hailed Barack Obama as "my new comrade" Thursday after their first face-to-face talks"

http://www.france24.com/en/20090402-russias-medvedev-hails-comrade-obama

April 1, 2009:
"Obama, Medvedev pledge new era of relations":
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090401/wl_afp/usrussiadiplomacynuclear_20090401152002