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An Underwater Threat
The last three U.S. administrations have based their China policies on hopes about what China might someday become. It is time to face the reality of what China has already created. This means devoting more military resources to the region and strengthening U.S. allies in order to reassure those them and send Beijing the message that the United States is committed to the regional status quo—which includes the maintenance of free markets and free governments across the Pacific. Beijing may not get it, yet. But such a U.S. response would be in everyone's interests.
Blumenthal is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. From 2002 to 2004, he served as senior director for China and Taiwan in the office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: genghismao @ 05/30/2008 3:37:01 AM
Comment: I say China should add targeting coordinates at NEWSWEEK. China and India have traded places as the world's largest economy multiple times in their milleniums of history. At its peak China held 30% of world total economic output. At its peak (since past), the US held 25%. With that historical perspective, we can understand why the west is nervous. After all, the west is worry of the evils it did to the world, including unleashing weapons of mass destruction on Japan. I say built more naval facilities and drive the US out because it Asia is for Asians and that is Chairman Deng doctrine. Now tell me what was Monroe Doctrine over at the US. The US has started more wars in its short life than all the wars China started in the last millenium. Seek truth from facts (Deng), and from that the US is the world's greatest threat.
Posted By: genghismao @ 05/30/2008 3:36:26 AM
Comment: I say China should add targeting coordinates at NEWSWEEK. China and India have traded places as the world's largest economy multiple times in their milleniums of history. At its peak China held 30% of world total economic output. At its peak (since past), the US held 25%. With that historical perspective, we can understand why the west is nervous. After all, the west is worry of the evils it did to the world, including unleashing weapons of mass destruction on Japan. I say built more naval facilities and drive the US out because it Asia is for Asians and that is Chairman Deng doctrine. Now tell me what was Monroe Doctrine over at the US. The US has started more wars in its short life than all the wars China started in the last millenium. Seek truth from facts (Deng), and from that the US is the world's greatest threat.
Posted By: ShawnZH @ 05/27/2008 11:29:01 AM
Comment: This author is joking, right? His views of China and it's so-called "threat" are ludicrous. First of all saying they have "acquired hundreds of the most modern fighter aircraft" is a HUGE overstatement. Their top-of-the-line (Russian made) SU-30 class and (domestically made) J-10 class fighter jets are no match for American F/A-22, JSF, or later F-16 classes. Furthermore, their bombers, the vast majority consist of 1980s designs are no match for American B-1 and B-2 bombers, as well as attackers like the A-10 Warthog.
Furthermore, Mr. Blumenthal, since you bring up this new naval base in Hainan Island, let's talk about China's maritime abilities, shall we? The Chinese PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) has a total of 2 Jin class (Type 094) SSBN (nuclear ballistic) submarines in total. An unrelated report by the United States mentioned a minimum of 5 such SSBN needed to present a relevent nuclear deterrant at all times. If you wish to mention the 1 other nuclear SSBN class that China has, the Type 092 Xia Class (one such example of this class is known) than that makes three, albeit this class has reported many service problems, hence the creation of the Type 094 Jin class in the first place.
Perhaps you want to talk about China's purchase of the ex-Soviet Kuznetsov-class Varyag aircraft carrier rig from the Ukraine? It is true that Chinese engineers have been studying this particular rig for years and may eventually convert it to semi-operational status for training purposes. However, that just means it will be years (if ever) that the PLAN actually pursues and carries out a domestically manufactured carrier of its own, again no need to worry just yet.
For your part, perhaps you can discuss Japan and its military budget. It's surprisingly high for a country that claims to maintain only a self defence force. Oh wait, they're an ally to America. Sorry, that was a silly request.