Posted on 03/08/2006 4:15:19 AM PST by Flavius
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The commander of US forces in the Pacific called for increased military engagement with China despite concerns over Beijing's continuing increases in military spending. ADVERTISEMENT [0]
Admiral William Fallon told the Senate Armed Services Committee that US-Chinese military competition was not a foregone conclusion even though Chinese activities make relations difficult.
"There is a tremendous potential for good here in this relationship between the two countries," he said. "We have many, many common interests."
China announced over the weekend that its military budget will increase by 15 percent this year to 35 billion dollars.
Fallon said the continuing increases in Chinese military spending -- which have exceeded its spectacular annual GDP growth -- as well as its lack of transparency were sources of concern.
"Of course, we're going to have to be cautious and careful, because there are still activities ongoing with the Chinese which makes it challenging for us to engage with this country," he said.
But he said US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has agreed to a significant increase in US-Chinese military interchanges this year.
"I think we need to press on this area, because the absence of any engagement whatsoever would put us back where we were in the past couple of years where we have virtually gone on a parallel pass with no interaction," he said.
Well, in 'Red Dawn', they were on our side, right!
"Stupid is as stupid does"
Is this guy one of Clinton's "perfumed princes" aka homosexual moles aka spies aka get a rope, start hanging people for TREASON again?
We should have more military exercises with our new friends in India, I'm sure Beijing and Moscow will love that.
As if that has slacked off the past 15 years. Mo' Money, Honey!
They will always be on your side - they will always need somewhere to sell all the crap they produce.
Adm Fallon was appointed to the Pacific Command in 2005. A little late to blame on Clinton. And he is just following this administration's stated policy of keeping open military engagement with China.
Same idiots who call for close military relations with Russia are now calling for close military relations with China. What is next??? Military relations with Cuba? Iran???
You'll note I fired my Sarcasm Torpedo in the form of a question...
Cheers!
probably, but so would just about any 3 or 4 stars in all branches of the U.S. military; majority of them probably got their first star during the Clinton Presidency. Are you going to dismiss the entire senior flag rank in the whole U.S. military?
the notion that anyone in public service who may say or do anything we don't approve *must* have been a Clinton insider is rather silly and futile. Bill Clinton was President for 8 years - are you going to only use people in public service - military or civilian, who did not serve or were not promoted during those 8 years?
Yes, but pointing out that an Admiral who is advocating potentially weakening our stance to China, MIGHT have been influenced under the Clintons, is quite reasonable.
Remember: Strawmen tend to attract flame.
Cheers!
He is probably right, since the GOP is selling out to the chicoms as fast as they can might be a good idea to stay "engaged" as long as posible. Perhaps we can delay the chicom attack long enough so that India will be able to defend us. Should India decline we will be screwed.
The admiral is a man who has spent his professional life in our armed services. He rose to become the commander of our naval forces in the Pacific. He presented his sworn testimony to Congress stating his opinion of how our national interests would best be served. Seems to me his views ought to be respected and weighed carefully.
Not too long ago, I spoke to a naval recruiter about what they were looking for in terms of naval intelligence positions. She stated that they really needed folks who could read and speak Mandarin. Food for thought.
We have got to get India unhooked from the Russians first.
Definitely not a homosexual mole. Very straight, married, pilot. Two kids in the military. One at Annapolis.
Please note that my post that started this was a Sarcasm Torpedo, AND was phrased as a question.
Thanks to all for the helpful input!
Cheers!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.