The New Pentagon Papers
Jim Kouri, CPP
February 10, 2006
A military expert in China complained to the Chinese government-controlled news service that Pentagon documents released on February 3, 2006, alleging that China is America's greatest future threat, reflects the United States' "hostility and high measure of vigilance against China's development."
A military scholar at the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, Wang Xinjun, claims that US military documents reveal the Bush Administration’s true military objectives that could very possibly jeopardize US relations with China.
The Pentagon documents to which Xinjun refers is the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) which was submitted to the Congressional Armed Services Committee. In particular, one document singles out China, describing it as "having the greatest potential to compete militarily with the United States and field disruptive military technologies that could over time offset traditional US military advantages."
This marks a significant change over the last such QDR, issued in 2001, in which China was not even mentioned by name, though indirectly referred to as "a military competitor with a formidable resource base."
The current review suggests that the spending on new long-range weapons programs is aimed at preparing for a future military confrontation with China. Increased Chinese military capabilities, the document states, as well as "the vast distances of the Asian theater, China’s continental depth, and the challenge of en route and in-theater US basing place a premium on forces capable of sustained operations at great distances into denied areas."
Wang Xinjun told the Chinese media that the US is playing up China's military power in order to contain China's military development. He says that the Pentagon seeks to strengthen US forces in the Asia Pacific area, in order to offset China's influence in the region.
Meanwhile, the left-wing in the US believe this is a means by which the Pentagon may garner more funding for military weapons and technology. As usual, the liberal-left in the US sees no threat to national security, preferring to hamper any military spending as they did during the Cold War.
The Chinese expert added in his statement that "the document provides evidence for further strengthening of the U.S.-Japan military alliance," which the US favors to control Japan, contain China's development and disintegrate cooperation in East Asia.
The analyst believes the true intention lying behind the Pentagon documents is to impede Chinese reunification with Taiwan. Some American strategists feel that distancing Taiwan from the Chinese central government is the most effective means to prevent or slow down China's rise. However, where is the evidence that Taiwan is even considering reunification with the Chinese mainland?
With the U.S. long-range plan calling on China as its greatest future threat, Wang Xinjun notes it provides a basis for increasing Department of Defense spending against the "so-called enemy".
But its not only the United States that is concerned over the Chinese military build-up. The Japanese government is dispatching members of its defense force to train with US special forces. Japan is also developing new torpedos to boost the defense of its islands, including some claimed by China. The Japanese fear the Chinese may try to take over the disputed islands.
Part of the efforts to strengthen its ability to defend remote islands against Chinese attack entailed the Japanese sending some 125 ground troops to San Diego, California from January 9-27 2006 for advanced training with the US Marines. The Japanese troops took part in reconnaissance training such as learning how to land on potentially-occupied remote islands and gather information.
The aim is to strengthen Japan's ability to defend remote southern isles such as the disputed islands known as the Diaoyus in China and the Senkakus in Japan.
Wang Xinjun claims that the Chinese army has no intention of confronting the American military, and that the new Pentagon documents will do harm to China’s peaceful development as well as the mutual trust and cooperation built by the two countries in regional and global affairs.
Yet, it's common knowledge at the Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency that China has accelerated developing or buying several advanced weapons systems and military technology, including surveillance satellites, missiles, and "blue water" naval vessels and submarines.
"(The Central Military Commission) Chairman Hu Jintao's instructions set a clear direction for completing adjustment and reform of the military personnel system," the QDR said.
Last week, Hu visited the Liberation Army Daily and told its staff to "adhere to a correct political orientation." In other words, the Chinese government wishes the publication to tow the party line on military matters.
The Liberation Army Daily -- the Chinese Army's own publication -- said more reforms to China's military were planned for 2006 including increasing hi-tech weaponry. The Pentagon is quite familiar with these "reforms," which is believed to be a euphemism to continued build-up/
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a press conference on Tuesday that China has lodged serious complaints with the US State Department regarding the China-related content in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The QDR, issued by the US Department of Defense on February 3 strongly criticized China's defense construction.
A military scholar at the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, Wang Xinjun, claims that US military documents reveal the Bush Administration’s true military objectives that could very possibly jeopardize US relations with China.
The Pentagon documents to which Xinjun refers is the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) which was submitted to the Congressional Armed Services Committee. In particular, one document singles out China, describing it as "having the greatest potential to compete militarily with the United States and field disruptive military technologies that could over time offset traditional US military advantages."
This marks a significant change over the last such QDR, issued in 2001, in which China was not even mentioned by name, though indirectly referred to as "a military competitor with a formidable resource base."
The current review suggests that the spending on new long-range weapons programs is aimed at preparing for a future military confrontation with China. Increased Chinese military capabilities, the document states, as well as "the vast distances of the Asian theater, China’s continental depth, and the challenge of en route and in-theater US basing place a premium on forces capable of sustained operations at great distances into denied areas."
Wang Xinjun told the Chinese media that the US is playing up China's military power in order to contain China's military development. He says that the Pentagon seeks to strengthen US forces in the Asia Pacific area, in order to offset China's influence in the region.
Meanwhile, the left-wing in the US believe this is a means by which the Pentagon may garner more funding for military weapons and technology. As usual, the liberal-left in the US sees no threat to national security, preferring to hamper any military spending as they did during the Cold War.
The Chinese expert added in his statement that "the document provides evidence for further strengthening of the U.S.-Japan military alliance," which the US favors to control Japan, contain China's development and disintegrate cooperation in East Asia.
The analyst believes the true intention lying behind the Pentagon documents is to impede Chinese reunification with Taiwan. Some American strategists feel that distancing Taiwan from the Chinese central government is the most effective means to prevent or slow down China's rise. However, where is the evidence that Taiwan is even considering reunification with the Chinese mainland?
With the U.S. long-range plan calling on China as its greatest future threat, Wang Xinjun notes it provides a basis for increasing Department of Defense spending against the "so-called enemy".
But its not only the United States that is concerned over the Chinese military build-up. The Japanese government is dispatching members of its defense force to train with US special forces. Japan is also developing new torpedos to boost the defense of its islands, including some claimed by China. The Japanese fear the Chinese may try to take over the disputed islands.
Part of the efforts to strengthen its ability to defend remote islands against Chinese attack entailed the Japanese sending some 125 ground troops to San Diego, California from January 9-27 2006 for advanced training with the US Marines. The Japanese troops took part in reconnaissance training such as learning how to land on potentially-occupied remote islands and gather information.
The aim is to strengthen Japan's ability to defend remote southern isles such as the disputed islands known as the Diaoyus in China and the Senkakus in Japan.
Wang Xinjun claims that the Chinese army has no intention of confronting the American military, and that the new Pentagon documents will do harm to China’s peaceful development as well as the mutual trust and cooperation built by the two countries in regional and global affairs.
Yet, it's common knowledge at the Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency that China has accelerated developing or buying several advanced weapons systems and military technology, including surveillance satellites, missiles, and "blue water" naval vessels and submarines.
"(The Central Military Commission) Chairman Hu Jintao's instructions set a clear direction for completing adjustment and reform of the military personnel system," the QDR said.
Last week, Hu visited the Liberation Army Daily and told its staff to "adhere to a correct political orientation." In other words, the Chinese government wishes the publication to tow the party line on military matters.
The Liberation Army Daily -- the Chinese Army's own publication -- said more reforms to China's military were planned for 2006 including increasing hi-tech weaponry. The Pentagon is quite familiar with these "reforms," which is believed to be a euphemism to continued build-up/
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a press conference on Tuesday that China has lodged serious complaints with the US State Department regarding the China-related content in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The QDR, issued by the US Department of Defense on February 3 strongly criticized China's defense construction.
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