Chinese paper says U.S. being too nervous over China military

(Kyodo) _ While China made no official comment on Friday morning about concerns expressed by the United States over a recent anti- satellite weapons test, a Chinese newspaper ran a story saying that Washington was being too nervous about Chinese military development. The Global Times, a newspaper under the Chinese Communist Party's organ People's Daily, quoted a Chinese military expert as saying that the United States was "being a little bit nervous" in a story headlined, "Unreasonable thoughts by U.S. over China's anti-missile weapons."

"In terms of technology, attacking a satellite in space is normal technology," the paper quoted an official of the China Society of Military Sciences as saying.

"But I would like to emphasize that China's space quest is a peaceful one," the official said. "Up until this moment, China has not carried out space military activities."

White House spokesman Tony Snow said Thursday the United States has expressed concerns to China about the anti-satellite weapons test, in which an old Chinese weather satellite was destroyed by a ballistic missile.

Snow was effectively confirming U.S. news reports that said China conducted such a test earlier this month.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said Friday that Japan has asked China for an explanation after being informed about the test by the U.S. government.

The Global Times, a newspaper under the Chinese Communist Party's organ People's Daily, quoted a Chinese military expert as saying that the United States was "being a little bit nervous" in a story headlined, "Unreasonable thoughts by U.S. over China's anti-missile weapons."

(wiping sweat from my forehead) Whew! You hear that Mr. President? The Chinese said everything is cool. Yall can go back to bed now.

It seems to me that Dear Leader doesn't want to die of old age or natural causes.

I don't really understand why China wouldn't have a right and an obligation to her people to develop this kind of technology. It's scary maybe because China is not exactly our best friend, but then again we've got some pretty scary weapons too. They have to be able to defend themselves, and in this day and age when the big powers in the world use satellites to orchestrate attacks it makes sense that nations would want to be able to counter against the threats satellites pose.

I'm just kind of bemused when I see headlines about governments reacting with "furry" over something like this. As I understand it we've had anti-satellite capabilities for more than twenty years. We also rely heavily on satellites for intelligence and our awesome weapons systems. I would think any country, especially one with a tenuous relationship with us, would be wise to have anti-satellite weapons. That's just common sense. For the Chinese to say this is some sort of "peaceful" program is laughable, but for us to get all upset about this strikes me as a little hypocritical. We're going to do pretty much whatever it takes to protect ourselves, develop whatever weapons we deem necessary, and while we'll play the game a little, when push comes to shove we'll do what we think is in our best interests when it comes to weapons development. I'm not surprised that other nations do the same. That's a responsibility of governments. They're supposed to be prepared to defend us.

Does China have expansionist aims? I don't know. I'm no expert on China. They really haven't invaded any countries that I know of in a long time. They have their problems with Tibet and Mongolia and other regions of their country not firmly under the central government's control. They make a claim to Taiwan, but haven't invaded yet and I kind of doubt that's coming anytime in the next few years at least. I don't know that they'll ever invade Taiwan. I think a lot of their bluff and bluster with respect to Taiwan is really intended to dissuade other regions from trying to break away from the People's Republic. I think they really worry about that and feel like that if they show a lot of weakness on Taiwan they'll have problems with secessionists in Tibet, Mongolia, and some of the wealthier regions in southern China. I think a bigger worry for them is keeping control of what they have rather than trying to expand their borders.

China has the potential to be far more dangerous than Japan ever was. China is an ancient and proud country that is trying to overcome an inferiority complex gained after being humbled by numerous other countries over the past several centuries. Britain humbled China during several Opium Wars. Some of their lands such as Hong Kong and Macau became foreign possessions. Other countries controlled China, as witnessed during the Boxer Rebellion. Don't forget the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and other provinces. The Chinese "lost face" and have a historical axe to grind.

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