Schumacher
Senior Member
Re: Chinese Military News Thread
Now back to some real PRC military news ..... We see Pentagon trying to create PRC threat talks once again despite repeated comments from regional leaders to the contrary.
Many in the region see US role in the past as positive but if in the future, the US resort to creating security issues rather than preventing them .... I guess it won't be seen as positive to say the least.
Interesting also to read PM Lee's comment abt India not wanting to be US's 'deputy sheriff' in the region.
From DefenceTalk.com
Defence & Security
China Criticises Irresponsible Comments By Pentagon Official
By
URL of this article:
Jun 15, 2007
Beijing: China on Thursday criticised what it called "irresponsible" comments by a US defense official who said the nation's military transformation should raise alarm bells overseas. Pentagon official Richard Lawless had said Beijing's lack of military transparency was forcing the United States to "prepare for the worst" and was causing unease over China's intentions towards its rival Taiwan.
"This US official, regardless of the facts, has used the so-called military capacity issue to spread the theory of a 'China threat' and is interfering in China's internal affairs," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told journalists.
"He also made irresponsible comments on China's military power and defence policy. We express our opposition to this."
Lawless said China has deployed about 900 missiles opposite Taiwan, and is rolling out far more sophisticated long-range nuclear missiles, combat planes, warships and submarines.
Qin, however, criticised the US for selling weapons to Taiwan and failing to live up to its commitments to abide by the "one China" policy that maintains Taiwan is part of China.
"We hope the US can abide by its repeated commitment to the 'one China' policy ..., stop selling weapons to Taiwan and not send any wrong signals to secessionist forces supporting Taiwan independence," Qin said.
China and Taiwan have been estranged since the end of a long civil war in 1949.
Qin said China has been transparent in its position toward Taiwan but stopped short of repeating Beijing's vow to retake the island by force if the territory should ever declare formal independence.
Lawless said China was deliberately masking the nature of its military capabilities, which he said could only worry the US and other governments.
"I think if we had a true dialogue of depth... we might be able to constrain and put some of those issues of (Chinese) intent to bed," Lawless told a congressional hearing.
"Not being able to, we must plan and prepare for the worst."
Qin countered that China was ready to step up military dialogue and exchanges with Washington to enhance mutual understanding and trust.
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Singapore PM: U.S. overplays China military risk
SINGAPORE (AP) -- Most Asian countries do not see China's military buildup as a security threat, even though it has worried Washington and Tokyo, Singapore's prime minister said.
"Most Asian countries assess the challenge from China to be more economic than military," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a speech inaugurating a three-day Asia-Pacific security conference Friday evening.
The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore is being attended by several defense ministers and high-level officials from 26 countries, including U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony and the Chinese army's deputy chief of the general staff, Lt. Gen. Zhang Qisheng.
Lee said the United States and Japan have expressed concerns over China's military buildup, and want more information on its defense spending and intentions.
China announced in March it will boost military spending by 17.8 percent in 2007 to 350.92 billion yuan (US$44.94 billion; euro34.14 billion) -- the biggest jump in more than a decade.
But a Pentagon report estimated that real spending was two to three times higher.
The Pentagon also said China needs to be more transparent about why it is spending so much on defense.
Also, China's successful test of an anti-satellite weapon, its first in two decades, was heavily criticized by the U.S. for a lack of warning and for leaving debris in space.
But Lee said Asian countries "see China's actions not as a threat to regional security, but as a specific response to the cross-straits situation," a reference to Beijing's attempts to prevent Taiwan -- a self-governed island across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China -- from formally declaring independence, which Beijing has said would be grounds for war.
Lee warned of negative consequences if Taiwan amends its constitution and holds a referendum on the changes, seen as steps toward independence.
"These actions ... could lead to unintended and dangerous escalation of tensions between China and the U.S," he said. "Asian countries will be forced to choose sides, which none want to do," Lee told the forum, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Lee also mentioned nuclear power India's growing weight in international affairs, and said its emerging relationship with the U.S. has created "a new dynamic."
However, the debate caused in India by those who oppose closer relations with the U.S. shows that that New Delhi "will not be a deputy sheriff to the United States, but fully intends to maintain its own strategic priorities," Lee said.
The annual Shangri-La Dialogue, named after the hotel where it is held, has grown in stature after six years of bringing together defense ministers, army chiefs and other officials from countries that are friends and adversaries.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Now back to some real PRC military news ..... We see Pentagon trying to create PRC threat talks once again despite repeated comments from regional leaders to the contrary.
Many in the region see US role in the past as positive but if in the future, the US resort to creating security issues rather than preventing them .... I guess it won't be seen as positive to say the least.
Interesting also to read PM Lee's comment abt India not wanting to be US's 'deputy sheriff' in the region.
From DefenceTalk.com
Defence & Security
China Criticises Irresponsible Comments By Pentagon Official
By
URL of this article:
Jun 15, 2007
Beijing: China on Thursday criticised what it called "irresponsible" comments by a US defense official who said the nation's military transformation should raise alarm bells overseas. Pentagon official Richard Lawless had said Beijing's lack of military transparency was forcing the United States to "prepare for the worst" and was causing unease over China's intentions towards its rival Taiwan.
"This US official, regardless of the facts, has used the so-called military capacity issue to spread the theory of a 'China threat' and is interfering in China's internal affairs," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told journalists.
"He also made irresponsible comments on China's military power and defence policy. We express our opposition to this."
Lawless said China has deployed about 900 missiles opposite Taiwan, and is rolling out far more sophisticated long-range nuclear missiles, combat planes, warships and submarines.
Qin, however, criticised the US for selling weapons to Taiwan and failing to live up to its commitments to abide by the "one China" policy that maintains Taiwan is part of China.
"We hope the US can abide by its repeated commitment to the 'one China' policy ..., stop selling weapons to Taiwan and not send any wrong signals to secessionist forces supporting Taiwan independence," Qin said.
China and Taiwan have been estranged since the end of a long civil war in 1949.
Qin said China has been transparent in its position toward Taiwan but stopped short of repeating Beijing's vow to retake the island by force if the territory should ever declare formal independence.
Lawless said China was deliberately masking the nature of its military capabilities, which he said could only worry the US and other governments.
"I think if we had a true dialogue of depth... we might be able to constrain and put some of those issues of (Chinese) intent to bed," Lawless told a congressional hearing.
"Not being able to, we must plan and prepare for the worst."
Qin countered that China was ready to step up military dialogue and exchanges with Washington to enhance mutual understanding and trust.
Back to: Home | Forums | Gallery | Guestbook | Contact us
©
Singapore PM: U.S. overplays China military risk
SINGAPORE (AP) -- Most Asian countries do not see China's military buildup as a security threat, even though it has worried Washington and Tokyo, Singapore's prime minister said.
"Most Asian countries assess the challenge from China to be more economic than military," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a speech inaugurating a three-day Asia-Pacific security conference Friday evening.
The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore is being attended by several defense ministers and high-level officials from 26 countries, including U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma, Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony and the Chinese army's deputy chief of the general staff, Lt. Gen. Zhang Qisheng.
Lee said the United States and Japan have expressed concerns over China's military buildup, and want more information on its defense spending and intentions.
China announced in March it will boost military spending by 17.8 percent in 2007 to 350.92 billion yuan (US$44.94 billion; euro34.14 billion) -- the biggest jump in more than a decade.
But a Pentagon report estimated that real spending was two to three times higher.
The Pentagon also said China needs to be more transparent about why it is spending so much on defense.
Also, China's successful test of an anti-satellite weapon, its first in two decades, was heavily criticized by the U.S. for a lack of warning and for leaving debris in space.
But Lee said Asian countries "see China's actions not as a threat to regional security, but as a specific response to the cross-straits situation," a reference to Beijing's attempts to prevent Taiwan -- a self-governed island across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China -- from formally declaring independence, which Beijing has said would be grounds for war.
Lee warned of negative consequences if Taiwan amends its constitution and holds a referendum on the changes, seen as steps toward independence.
"These actions ... could lead to unintended and dangerous escalation of tensions between China and the U.S," he said. "Asian countries will be forced to choose sides, which none want to do," Lee told the forum, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Lee also mentioned nuclear power India's growing weight in international affairs, and said its emerging relationship with the U.S. has created "a new dynamic."
However, the debate caused in India by those who oppose closer relations with the U.S. shows that that New Delhi "will not be a deputy sheriff to the United States, but fully intends to maintain its own strategic priorities," Lee said.
The annual Shangri-La Dialogue, named after the hotel where it is held, has grown in stature after six years of bringing together defense ministers, army chiefs and other officials from countries that are friends and adversaries.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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