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July 20, 2005

More On China

They bear watching.

Pentagon warns of military threat from China
China could pose a future military threat to other Asian countries but its current ability to project power beyond its periphery was "limited", the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

In its long-awaited annual report on the Chinese military, the Pentagon concluded that China was increasing its efforts to prepare for a conflict over Taiwan, including taking longer-term measures to defend itself from other countries who could get involved in a conflict over Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province.

Of course, the report has been subject to some 'PC' tweaking...

The report has been the subject of intense bureaucratic infighting as anti-China concerns mount on Capitol Hill. The State Department and National Security Council opposed an initial Pentagon draft, which they believed painted an overly antagonistic picture by signalling that China could emerge as a "strategic rival" to the US.

The 'well, duh' quote?
The report also criticised China for the level of secrecy it maintains about its military strategy and expenditures.

"The outside world has little knowledge of Chinese motivations and decision-making and of key capabilities supporting PLA modernisation."


As for our going to bat for Taiwan...
Raising alarms for the US navy, the report concluded that China was developing the capability to slow, or even deter, US efforts to defend Taiwan in the case of a conflict.

"The US intelligence community also believes China will consider a sea-denial strategy to attempt to hold at risk US naval forces, including aircraft carriers and logistic forces, approaching the Taiwan Strait," it said.


Oh go ahead, what the hell. Sell them an oil company.
UPDATE: The Chinese have answered and they're pissed.
The assessment was a flagrant mischaracterisation of China's peaceful defence policy and reasonable military development, the ministry said in a statement. "This report ignores fact in order to do everything it can to disseminate the 'China threat theory'. It crudely interferes in China's internal affairs and is a provocation against China's relations with other countries."

Blah blah blah. Right.

Posted by tree hugging sister at July 20, 2005 01:05 AM

Comments

"Raising alarms for the US navy, the report concluded that China was developing the capability to slow, or even deter, US efforts to defend Taiwan in the case of a conflict."

In particular, their attack subs and torpedoes are being designed to be as effective as possible at taking out aircraft carriers, which, need it be said, are not exactly a major feature of the Taiwanese Navy.

Posted by: Dave J at July 20, 2005 10:54 AM

That's their stated goal, Dave. They reckon if they can take out a carrier then we'll fold, both militarily and politically.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at July 20, 2005 11:05 AM

Of course China is doing what it can to strengthen itself, as any self-respecting country would. Do I like it? No. Do I understand it? Yes. China will definitely keep us on our toes in the years to come.

Posted by: NJ Sue at July 22, 2005 12:46 AM