 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Experts Troubled By China Arms Buildup
Washington (AFP) Jul 27, 2005 Experts told a congressional panel Wednesday that China's weapons buildup poses a major challenge to the United States and its Asian allies, despite administration assurances that Beijing is not considered a threat. The Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, Duncan Hunter, said he called the hearing on China's growing military might as US lawmakers increasingly become concerned about Beijing's intentions. "We're holding this hearing because we've all noticed some disturbing trends in the Pacific over the last decade," he said, noting that "since the early 1990s China's military spending has grown faster than its economy." "Naturally, we have to ask ourselves who China expects to use all these weapons against," Hunter said. Experts who testified at the hearing underscored the potential risk from China's military prowess. "There is no question that the Chinese military is a potential adversary of the United States in the Taiwan Strait," said Franklin Kramer, a former assistant secretary of state. In particular, he said China's growing naval might poses a challenge. "Improvements in anti-ship cruise missiles potentially challenge the United States Navy in ways that it has not been since the end of the Cold War," Kramer said. Richard Fisher, vice president of the International Assessment and Strategy Center, agreed. "China is on the cusp of fielding a modern force capable of joint service offensive operations," he said. The hearing was held after a top Chinese general this month warned that China would use nuclear weapons if the US military intervened in Taiwan. A Pentagon report last week said that the said the size and pace of China's weapons acquisitions could threaten the military balance with Taiwan -- which China considers a renegade province -- and pose a threat to other armies in the Asia region. The report estimated China's defence spending at two-three times greater than acknowledged by Beijing, or up to 90 billion dollars this year. The White House said last week however that it did not view China as a threat, saying it hoped to work in a "constructive and cooperative way" with Beijing. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express China News from SinoDaily.com
China Wants To Expand Sino-US Military Relations
Beijing (AFP) Jan 10, 2006China is ready to expand its military relations with the United States, Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said on Tuesday. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
