Posted on 05/25/2007 9:37:12 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Beijing upgrades nuclear arsenal
By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington
Published: May 25 2007 20:21 | Last updated: May 25 2007 20:21
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.
ADVERTISEMENT 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.
Ping!
Ironic, in light of the fact that our Congress refused to do the same with the aging US arsenal.
As much as we buy from them they should be able to afford to.
Scourge of New Left inhabiting U.S. congress should be wiped out. "Money-is-good" Republicans are their best friends.
I wonder how much of our American dollars have paid for this.
More than 50%, I am afraid.
One more reason why I support Duncan Hunter:
DUNCAN HUNTER QUOTE: “Not only do we have a bad trade deal with China but they’re cheating on the one we do have. China is cheating on trade and they’re using our trade dollars to buy ships, planes and missiles. They’re becoming a super power and stepping into the shoes of the Soviet Union.”
China aims to be the next superpower. Beware the Russian Sinophobic. Russia vs. China, next on Middle Eastern Theatre.
Yep. The Mammon Republicans disgust me more than the liberals.
I believe I read that the statement on declining an upgrade of our own nuclear arsenal was that it served no purpose without first coming up with a new comprehensive nuclear strategy. I thought that was a sound basis for denying further money to upgrades. If they haven't found anything better than the current plan and the current weaponry meets the needs what would be the point? Unless our current strike capabilities have been compromised I don't see a need here.
As for China, they say that those are nukes, but if they were manufactured by the same idiots who provide food products then they are probably full of lettuce or something.
This is, of course, the TRUE LEGACY of (impeached and disbarred former president) Bill and Hillary Clinton.
So you endourse the removal of any deterrant...(which is in effect, what will happend as the current nuclear inventory is aging beyond functionality)... because some congresspersons disagreed with a strategy that has arguably been effective for 60+years?
Sorry, not drinking that koolaid.
Duncan Hunter is the only Republican Presidential candidate who is saying that we need to keep a close eye on China.
Well, how about some politicians recognizing it and doing something about it besides Hunter?
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