China is Rearming. Why?

The U.S. government is worried about the Chinese arms race. In fact, Beijing has announced a rise of 17.6% in its defence budget. This announcement was coupled with declarations of war against Taiwan. At the opening of the People’s National Conference, spokesman Jiang Enzhu admonished that a referendum regarding the participation of Taiwan in the United Nations would put peace in danger. Just like in a squalid gang war, which would be considered ridiculous if it weren’t so dramatic, Beijing declared: “each country that wants to have diplomatic relationships should disavow Taiwan and adhere to the principle that only one China exists.” What an incredible example of arrogance!

Jiang Enzhu presented the huge increase in the military budget as a physiological evolution, with a budget of 57.2 billion dollars.

This concerns all people of all nations: in a time when China strengthens its super power status, its strategic interests reach all continents.

The Pentagon has published a report about the Beijing rearmament. According to Washington, there is no transparency regarding the true level of Chinese expenses. On the basis of the Pentagon’s estimations, the actual expense for armaments range between 97 and 139 billion dollars, figures far away from the declared 57,2.

The U.S. is mainly worried about Chinese expansion in advanced technologies: long-range ballistic missiles, anti-satellite weapons and cyber-spying. The Pentagon’s report states that China on developing its nuclear strategic strength deploying long-range nuclear missiles.

The Chinese PLA (Popular Liberation Army) is improving its ability to block access to the Taiwan strait in case of a face-off with Taiwan, through the development of cruise missiles, new anti-satellite weapons and cyber-space technologies.

The Navy and the Air Force also have to be monitored: the Chinese Navy is gaining familiarity with open sea operations, operations that lead to international seas potentially in contrast with strategic world trade routes, while the Air Force is increasing the attack area of its bombers upgrading its radar systems.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia David Sedney commented: “the biggest thing for people to be concerned about really is the fact that we don't have that kind of strategic understanding of the Chinese intentions... (this) leads to uncertainty."

Yes…so what are the Chinese government's intentions? What is the objective of its economic expansion, its arms race, its flooding of the international market with low quality goods which are sometimes even toxic?

If all this were not enough, in August they will have the international showcase of the Olympic Games at their disposal (let's hope for a boycott). Is it all part of a global strategy?

Sources:

"China looks to build up military, says US" - www.ft.com 03/03/08. Demetri Sevastopulo
“La Cina si riarma, allarme in Usa” - La Repubblica 5/03/08. Federico Rampini

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