Re: Anti-Carrier Trump Card
H5N1 said:
1. It accuses china of expanding its military
It is modernising, not expanding. US would like to see China still operating Mig-21s, old warships, 1950's tanks and aa-guns, is no surprise.
2. It accuses china of unbalancing the military balance in the region.
Japan and South Korea is no push over either, while emphasing of US interest. Irony.
3. It accusses china of tentency to block international shipping lanes.
China depended more on the shipping lanes more than anybody. Cute.
4. It accusses China and Russia as an Axis power when they has an military with about 10,000 men.
US, Nato and other allies has probably a hundred such excercises a year, far exceeding 10,000.
5. Human Rights
While I agreed china is lacking it. US is no angel either.
1. China military expansion - I agree with you somewhat. China seems to be actually contracting while modernizing some of their military. PLAAF is a good example. Thousands of less capable J-7's and such are being taken out while PLAAF will field a smaller number of more capable SU-30 MKK's and J-10's. But in fairness, I would say China is expanding their missiles opposite Taiwan. So your conclusion is not totally a fair assessment.
2. China unbalancing the region - I would have to say adding Kilos, Sukhoi jets, and hundreds of SRBM and IRBM's every year unbalances the region completely. But to be fair to China, modernizing does not in and of itself do this alone. That's just the trade-off. Not necessarily a negative thing though.
3. China blocking shipping lanes - I've never heard this charge leveled....anywhere. Could you provide links?
4. China and Russia as axis power - Again, I've never seen and OFFICIAL charge leveled here. Just because the U.S. highlighted these exercises with "interest", does not mean they charge them with anything.
5. Human rights - At least in the USA I can choose any religion I see fit. If Catholic, I can acknowledge the teachings from the Vatican. I can stand out in front of the White House cursing G.W. Bush, calling for his downfall. I'd love to see anybody in China stand out in Beijing calling Hu Jintao a criminal that should be deposed. The USA smells like roses compared to China in this area. Nuff' said!
@TJJH - I agree there will be no war. But China does not hold the entire economic ace alone. Both China and the USA share this trump card. You see, China needs American markets to keep her economy growing. The U.S. needs China economically for the same reason. They provide us with cost-effective durable goods. China is an economic partner and we need eachother. The USA could hurt China's economy also.
You talk about the MTV generation not standing for the end of cheap goods. Have you heard of CAFTA? Alot of those Chinese manufacturing jobs will be going to Latin America.....not all of them though. Cheap goods will continue to flow here. But more and more will flow from Latin America. And I believe China would lose the political ace with an out-and-out invasion of Taiwan. THAT would be an illegal invasion. Before you give me the "Iraq was illegal" nonsense, go read U.N. Resolution 1441.