CHINA / National
Pentagon: US surprised by rapid arms modernization
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-05-24 09:11
An annual report from the US Department of Defense says that China has
extended its military capability and caught the Pentagon somewhat off
guard.
The outside world has little knowledge of Chinese intentions and decision
making of its key capabilities while China is modernizing its armed
forces, said the 2006 "Military Power of the People's Republic of China",
which was released on Tuesday .
The report, delivered to the US Congress, guesses Chinese defense
expenditure at "two to three times the officially disclosed figures".
China's foreign ministry is yet to respond to the Pentagon report.
China's military spending of less than US$40 billion in 2005 is only
one-10th that of the United States.
Chinese officials have once and again dismissed US warnings about its
modernization, saying the military build-up serves national security
needs and protecting its territory as any large nation would.
The Pentagon report reads as if it was written to balance cautionary
language about US military competition with China, with carefully chosen
words expressing optimism for harmonious relations with Beijing, a report
of the New York Times said.
The Times said that the report takes on a diplomatic life of its own,
sparking an annual round of analysis and criticism from the United States
that, in turn, prompts an annual round of criticism and analysis from
China.
"The United States welcomes the rise of a peaceful and prosperous China,"
the report states. "US policy encourages China to participate as a
responsible international stakeholder by taking on a greater share of
responsibility for the health and success of the global system from which
China has derived great benefit."
The Chinese military, according to the report, has embarked on a
long-term effort to change from a large army designed for wars of
attrition on its home territory into "a more modern force capable of
fighting short duration, high intensity conflicts against high-tech
adversaries."
While acknowledging that China has only a limited ability to sustain
military operations at great distances, its armed forces have the
potential to compete with the United States by fielding "disruptive
military technologies that could over time offset traditional U.S.
military advantages."
What that means in the near term, the report adds, is that China will
continue its efforts to build up its forces across the strait from Taiwan.
"Several aspects of China's military development have surprised US
analysts," the report states, "including the pace and scope of its
strategic forces modernization." The term "strategic forces" applies to
long-range nuclear weapons.
China is modernizing its longer-range ballistic missiles by upgrading
some systems and replacing others with mobile, quick-launch models, the
report states.
The report details trends in China's ability to deny other military
forces access across the region by a combination of strike aircraft,
submarines and precision missiles. In all, the report argues, these
weapons "have the potential to pose credible threats to modern militaries
operating in the region."
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Today's Top News
� China, Japan FMs to meet after 1-year gap
� Fuel price rises by about 10%
� China's economy grows 10.3% in 1Q
� Laden: Moussaoui not linked to 9/11
� China, Japan FMs to meet in Doha
Top China News
� World Bank flags environment in new plan for China
� Mine pumps start but hope is slim
� Canada urged to extradite smuggler soon
� China's GDP grows 10.3% from Jan.-Mar.
� Germany, China at impasse on Maglev train line
Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.
Chinese Mandarin
