[cgk]

Bill Gertz reported movement of Chinese troops to the Afghan border last week.

The notion that they're going to re-enforce Taliban forces is pure fiction. They're securing the border, that's all. Not an unusual event when a neighboring country is going to war

If the Chinese are going to do anything as a result of this war, they're going to invade Taiwan at the height of the conflict. Then it's World War III.

[ehud613]

Seems to me the Chinese are getting really nervous about Xinjiang. For the past few weeks, its seems like there have been dozens of TV shows on various channels here in Beijing playing to the whole "Eternal Friendship Bewteen the Han and Xinjiang Minority Groups." I'm 99% sure all the aid they've given the Taliban in the past came with a big "do not allow Uyghers from Xinjiang to be trained in bin Laden's camps" proviso--in essence, a bribe.

[MeekOneGOP]

The notion that they're going to re-enforce Taliban forces is pure fiction. They're securing the border, that's all. Not an unusual event when a neighboring country is going to war.

If the Chinese are going to do anything as a result of this war, they're going to invade Taiwan at the height of the conflict. Then it's World War III.

---

I think you're correct about the fiction. My first inclination and good friend says no way the Commies will back those guys.

And I CERTAINLY hope you're wrong about the WWIII thing! At least until I get back! ;-)

[KeepTheEdge]

Good Post, any Chinese deployment in the region, should be seen for what it is, the securing of Chinese border areas from any flood of refugees.

[tallhappy]

Bill Gertz reported movement of Chinese troops to the Afghan border last week.

As did others. This is non-controversial.

The notion that they're going to re-enforce Taliban forces is pure fiction.

A bit extreme. Most unlikely, highly doubtfull, etc... would be a better choice of words, I think, than "pure fiction."

They're securing the border, that's all. Not an unusual event when a neighboring country is going to war

Agree, except with the "that's all" comment.

That is not all. Watching their border is the basic aspect. But this operation is a gold mine for the PLA. They can be near the action taken by the US. It is an intelligence bonanza for them to observe and eavesdrop so closely.

That aspect has to be as high on their list as securing their border, because the border, even in all this, is not going to be much less secure.

Second, they are scavengers for US technology. One of the things the Taliban did for them recently was to give them unexploded US missiles from Clinton's strike a few years ago.

In this current ONE operation they are surely hoping to get more. This is where troops in Afghanistan would come in to play, if there are any.

If the Chinese are going to do anything as a result of this war, they're going to invade Taiwan at the height of the conflict. Then it's World War III.

Which actually is the point of this "pure fiction" article. I am not saying I accept it or believe it. In fact I don't believe the PLA is moving in to Afghanistan to provide military support for the Taliban. I am more inclined to say about that what you said, that it is pure fiction (or highly unlikely, see above).

Yet, as far as the fictional story goes, the idea is that by prolonging the US effort there it makes Taiwan an easier target for them.

I don't think they will attack Taiwan, nor do I think they are in Afghanistan.

But, some PLA special forces very well could be their as part of intelligence operations, to learn about the US military capabilities and to get whatever hardware they can get.

The bigger question on this is, why is China not overtly with us?

Why can we not fly over their territory or use their bases? And, why don't they also join use militarily as Britain has, and other nations will or have. Even japan is taking a role.

Why not China?

Until questions like this are answered there is no reason to make excuses for the ChiComs, even if a report like this is most unlikely to be accurate.