Posted on 05/25/2007 7:54:58 PM PDT by DeaconBenjamin2
China is modernising and expanding its arsenal of nuclear weapons giving it an enhanced nuclear strike capability, according to a new Pentagon report on the Chinese military.
The Pentagon said China was developing mobile, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles in addition to long-range, submarine-launched ballistic missiles that would be deployed on a new fleet of nuclear submarines.
A US defence official said the shift to mobile and sea-based missiles was an effort by the People’s Liberation Army to improve the ability of its nuclear forces to survive a first nuclear strike.
“China is pursuing long-term comprehensive transformation of its military forces to improve its capabilities for power-projection, anti-access and area denial,” the report said. “China’s actions in certain areas increasingly appear inconsistent with its declaratory policies.”
Releasing its annual report on the Chinese military, the Pentagon also warned that Beijing’s counter-space programme “puts at risk the assets of all space-faring nations”.
In January, China destroyed a satellite with a missile in a move that prompted the US air force to reassess the vulnerability of US satellites.
While the report suggested that most of China’s military modernisation was aimed at preparing for a possible conflict over Taiwan, the Pentagon said Beijing also appeared to be “generating capabilities for other regional contingencies, such as conflict over resources or territory”.
The defence official said China’s growing concern about its vulnerability over energy and natural resources could end up shaping its military planning.
China’s more recent focus on increasing its naval power, including attack submarines, is believed to be partly aimed at protecting sea routes for tankers transporting energy resources.
China maintains that it is simply engaging in a “peaceful rise” and that its military modernisation is commensurate with its economic expansion.
classic sun bin. make the state economically prosperous and enact reforms to do so. then strengthen the military. then through other states weaken your enemies (iran) and then act.
The people that need to respond are supposedly elected representatives.
And to think they are doing it with our money.....
We are doing it with our own money.
Sun Tzu?
There is one man talking about it and he’s running for president. (Hunter) If it starts coming to the forefront in the news all the front runners will be on it like ugly on an ape. Whether it really matters to them or not is another issue.
I like Hunter. I’d vote for him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Bin
Sun Bin. Came later... advocated other ideas for feudal lords. Tied importance of economic prosperity to military might.
Keep shopping at wal-mart folks, the chicoms need the money/
Excellent. Thank you very much.
Of course, the Democrats don’t want the United States to do anything to defend itself.
The Red Chinese Military are diversifying their delivery systems to deliver the technology they bought from the DemoRat National Committee at Clintoon’s reelection
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.