China's Defense/Military Breaking News Thread
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Taiwan believes China may cut missiles aimed at it
TAIPEI (Reuters) - China may be planning to slowly reduce the number of missiles aimed at Taiwan in a significant show of goodwill towards the self-ruled island, a Taiwanese military official said on Sunday.
China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when Mao Zedong's Communists won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists (KMT) fled to the island. Beijing has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.
But Beijing may be planning to remove some of its approximately 1,300 short-range and mid-range missiles aimed at Taiwan, which is about 160 km away, said island defence ministry spokeswoman Chih Yu-lan.
"We have some grasp of this situation," Chih said.
Relations between the two sides have already improved since China-friendly Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May. His government has signed trade and transit deals with Beijing while avoiding displays of sovereignty for the island.
China's removal of missiles would be particularly popular with Taiwan's public compared with other recent goodwill measures, such as a gift of two giant pandas and financial incentives for Taiwan investors, political experts on the island say.
But Taiwan's military is not backing down, Chih said.
"We would look favourably at this development (in China), but we need to work on our own safety and not rely on someone else's goodwill," Chih said. "We won't relax our own preparations."
Taiwan believes China may cut missiles aimed at it
TAIPEI (Reuters) - China may be planning to slowly reduce the number of missiles aimed at Taiwan in a significant show of goodwill towards the self-ruled island, a Taiwanese military official said on Sunday.
China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when Mao Zedong's Communists won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists (KMT) fled to the island. Beijing has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.
But Beijing may be planning to remove some of its approximately 1,300 short-range and mid-range missiles aimed at Taiwan, which is about 160 km away, said island defence ministry spokeswoman Chih Yu-lan.
"We have some grasp of this situation," Chih said.
Relations between the two sides have already improved since China-friendly Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May. His government has signed trade and transit deals with Beijing while avoiding displays of sovereignty for the island.
China's removal of missiles would be particularly popular with Taiwan's public compared with other recent goodwill measures, such as a gift of two giant pandas and financial incentives for Taiwan investors, political experts on the island say.
But Taiwan's military is not backing down, Chih said.
"We would look favourably at this development (in China), but we need to work on our own safety and not rely on someone else's goodwill," Chih said. "We won't relax our own preparations."
China calls for U.S. to mend military ties despite 30th anniversary celebration
2009-01-08 14:53:11 GMT2009-01-08 22:53:11 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English
BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- China is urging the United States to take actions to repair military ties seriously damaged by a U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.
"China-U.S. military ties lag far behind overall relations. The United States should take concrete measures to repair them," Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, told the visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte on Thursday.
China curtailed some military exchanges with the United States after the Pentagon announced a $6.5 billion Taiwan arms deal last October. It included 30 Apache attack helicopters and 330 Patriot missiles.
It was the biggest arms sale to Taiwan since China and the United States signed the "August 17 Communique" in 1982, in which the United States agreed to gradually reduce its arms sales to Taiwan.
Military contacts between the two countries had become active and fruitful before the Taiwan arms sale. Apart from frequent exchanges at different levels, defense departments set up hotlines and military officials got involved in the China-U.S. strategic talks for the first time last year.
"Military ties, which don't enjoy a solid foundation, were further damaged by the U.S. move," Ma said in his hour-long meeting with Negroponte. "That created an obstacle to exchanges and cooperation in a range of spheres. The responsibility for this belongs entirely to the United States."
Last December, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense David Sedney came to Beijing in an effort to find ways to mend strained military ties. The visit didn't produce any substantive progress.
"I think it will take a long time to restore military relations," Ma said.
With his principal mission of commemorating the 30th anniversary of U.S.-China diplomatic ties, Negroponte hailed the increased exchanges and positive dialogues between the two countries over the past three decade.
"It is fair to say that our military-to-military relationship is not as advanced as the other aspects, like commercial and financial ties. There is work to be done," Negroponte said.
"Probably nothing that I can do or say will cause the exchanges to be restored between now and the end of the Bush administration, which has 10 days left."
Negroponte said the U.S. defense policy would generally continue as the current Defense Secretary Robert Gates will stay in the Obama administration and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen will keep his function.
"Hopefully in time these ties and exchanges will be restored because they are in the mutual interests of the two nations," he said.
AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
The last "official" list of nation's nuclear inventories if I recall correctly had China ranked 4th or 5th behind Great Britain and/or France. Israel could have more nukes than China. Combine all Western allies... how many weapons do they have? Yet somehow China has to reduce its stockpile? This is like in another forum they're discussing the possibility of China building two carriers. "Taiwan or South Korea or Japan doesn't have carriers so China doesn't need them." Nearly all the countries that operate carriers are Western allies yet somehow China just building two is something to be alarmed about. That's like saying the island nation of Palau has no nukes so why is China building nukes against Palau. The problem with the mindset of some of these people is they think everyone agrees who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Even the bad guys know they're the bad guys. Which is why there's this attitude that bad guys are the ones that have to give up whatever. The only time when someone can morally complain to China about how many nukes it has in its inventories is when China has more nukes than all your allies combined. Luckily China pragmatically won't build that many nukes nor will build or match as many carriers that all potential enemies of China possess. Since that will never happen, there's no right to complain.
Rising China
Junior Member
China to modernize military while pursuing peaceful development(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-20 11:33
China on Tuesday issued a white paper on national defense, pledging to be committed to the peaceful development and advance its military modernization.
The paper for the first time unveiled China's ambition to "basically accomplishing mechanization (of the military) and making major progress in informationization by 2020" and "realizing modernization by the mid-21st century."
The white paper on "China's National Defense in 2008" was issued by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.
Vowing to strengthen the military by means of science and technology, the paper said China was working to "develop new and high-tech weaponry and equipment, conduct military training in conditions of informationization and build a modern logistics system in an all-round way."
On China's military strategic guideline of active defense, the paper said this guideline "aimed at winning local wars in conditions of informationization."
On the current effort to streamline the armed forces, the paper said China is aimed at developing a complete set of "scientific modes" of organization, institutions and ways of operation by 2020.
Nuke Weapons Not Aimed At Any Country
The paper for the first time specified in detail China's long-standing policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."
"In peacetime, the nuclear missile weapons of the Second Artillery Force are not aimed at any country," the paper said while reaffirming the country's will to implement "a self-defensive nuclear strategy."
"But if China comes under a nuclear threat, the nuclear missile force of the Second Artillery Force will go into a state of alert, and get ready for a nuclear counterattack to deter the enemy from using nuclear weapons against China," the paper said.
The Second Artillery Force is China's name for its core force of strategic deterrence.
Under the direct command of the Central Military Commission, the nuclear armed force is aimed to deter nuclear strike from other countries and to conduct nuclear counterattacks and precision strikes with conventional missiles.
Security Situation Improving, Still Complicated
The paper, the sixth of its kind issued by the Chinese government since 1998, gave an overall picture of China's national defense ranging from the security environment, national defence policy, to defense expenditure and arms control.
Describing China's general security situation as "improving steadily," the 105-page document said "the situation across the Taiwan Straits has taken a significantly positive turn."
The paper attributed the improvement to the failed attempts of the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence" and the progress made in cross-Straits consultations.
However, "China is still confronted with long-term, complicated, and diverse security threats and challenges," the paper said, listing the threats of separatist forces of "Taiwan independence," "East Turkistan independence" and "Tibet independence."
"In particular, the United States continues to sell arms to Taiwan in violation of the principles established in the three Sino-US joint communiques, causing serious harm to the Sino-US relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," the paper said.
In the face of "unprecedented opportunities and challenges," China will "persist in taking the road of peaceful development," the paper said.
The paper also reviewed the three decades of China's defense expenditure, saying it stayed at "a reasonable and appropriate level."
Although China's defense expenditure increased from 1988 to 2008, the total amount and per-service-person share of China's defense spending remained lower than those of some major powers, the paper said.
The paper also for the first time devoted separate chapters to the army, navy, air force and second artillery force, introducing their capacities and functions.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in military expansion now or in the future, no matter how developed it becomes," the paper said.
:china::china::china:
Updated: 2009-01-20 11:33
China on Tuesday issued a white paper on national defense, pledging to be committed to the peaceful development and advance its military modernization.
The paper for the first time unveiled China's ambition to "basically accomplishing mechanization (of the military) and making major progress in informationization by 2020" and "realizing modernization by the mid-21st century."
The white paper on "China's National Defense in 2008" was issued by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.
Vowing to strengthen the military by means of science and technology, the paper said China was working to "develop new and high-tech weaponry and equipment, conduct military training in conditions of informationization and build a modern logistics system in an all-round way."
On China's military strategic guideline of active defense, the paper said this guideline "aimed at winning local wars in conditions of informationization."
On the current effort to streamline the armed forces, the paper said China is aimed at developing a complete set of "scientific modes" of organization, institutions and ways of operation by 2020.
Nuke Weapons Not Aimed At Any Country
The paper for the first time specified in detail China's long-standing policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."
"In peacetime, the nuclear missile weapons of the Second Artillery Force are not aimed at any country," the paper said while reaffirming the country's will to implement "a self-defensive nuclear strategy."
"But if China comes under a nuclear threat, the nuclear missile force of the Second Artillery Force will go into a state of alert, and get ready for a nuclear counterattack to deter the enemy from using nuclear weapons against China," the paper said.
The Second Artillery Force is China's name for its core force of strategic deterrence.
Under the direct command of the Central Military Commission, the nuclear armed force is aimed to deter nuclear strike from other countries and to conduct nuclear counterattacks and precision strikes with conventional missiles.
Security Situation Improving, Still Complicated
The paper, the sixth of its kind issued by the Chinese government since 1998, gave an overall picture of China's national defense ranging from the security environment, national defence policy, to defense expenditure and arms control.
Describing China's general security situation as "improving steadily," the 105-page document said "the situation across the Taiwan Straits has taken a significantly positive turn."
The paper attributed the improvement to the failed attempts of the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence" and the progress made in cross-Straits consultations.
However, "China is still confronted with long-term, complicated, and diverse security threats and challenges," the paper said, listing the threats of separatist forces of "Taiwan independence," "East Turkistan independence" and "Tibet independence."
"In particular, the United States continues to sell arms to Taiwan in violation of the principles established in the three Sino-US joint communiques, causing serious harm to the Sino-US relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," the paper said.
In the face of "unprecedented opportunities and challenges," China will "persist in taking the road of peaceful development," the paper said.
The paper also reviewed the three decades of China's defense expenditure, saying it stayed at "a reasonable and appropriate level."
Although China's defense expenditure increased from 1988 to 2008, the total amount and per-service-person share of China's defense spending remained lower than those of some major powers, the paper said.
The paper also for the first time devoted separate chapters to the army, navy, air force and second artillery force, introducing their capacities and functions.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in military expansion now or in the future, no matter how developed it becomes," the paper said.
:china::china::china:
PRC issues a "White Paper" on national defense.
China to modernize military while pursuing peaceful development
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-20 11:33 China on Tuesday issued a white paper on national defense, pledging to be committed to the peaceful development and advance its military modernization.
The paper for the first time unveiled China's ambition of "basically accomplishing mechanization (of the military) and making major progress in informationization by 2020" and "realizing modernization by the mid-21st century."
The white paper on "China's National Defense in 2008" was issued by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.
Vowing to strengthen the military by means of science and technology, the paper said China was working to "develop new and high-tech weaponry and equipment, conduct military training in conditions of informationization and build a modern logistics system in an all-round way."
On China's military strategic guideline of active defense, the paper said this guideline "aimed at winning local wars in conditions of informationization."
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Hu Changming takes part in a news conference to release China's national defense white paper in Beijing, January 20, 2009. [CNS]
On the current effort to streamline the armed forces, the paper said China is aimed at developing a complete set of "scientific modes" of organization, institutions and ways of operation by 2020.
Nuke Weapons Not Aimed At Any Country
The paper for the first time specified in detail China's long-standing policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."
"In peacetime, the nuclear missile weapons of the Second Artillery Force are not aimed at any country," the paper said while reaffirming the country's will to implement "a self-defensive nuclear strategy."
"But if China comes under a nuclear threat, the nuclear missile force of the Second Artillery Force will go into a state of alert, and get ready for a nuclear counterattack to deter the enemy from using nuclear weapons against China," the paper said.
The Second Artillery Force is China's name for its core force of strategic deterrence.
Under the direct command of the Central Military Commission, the nuclear armed force is aimed to deter nuclear strike from other countries and to conduct nuclear counterattacks and precision strikes with conventional missiles.
Security Situation Improving, Still Complicated
The paper, the sixth of its kind issued by the Chinese government since 1998, gave an overall picture of China's national defense ranging from the security environment, national defence policy, to defense expenditure and arms control.
Describing China's general security situation as "improving steadily," the 105-page document said "the situation across the Taiwan Straits has taken a significantly positive turn."
The paper attributed the improvement to the failed attempts of the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence" and the progress made in cross-Straits consultations.
However, "China is still confronted with long-term, complicated, and diverse security threats and challenges," the paper said, listing the threats of separatist forces of "Taiwan independence," "East Turkistan independence" and "Tibet independence."
"In particular, the United States continues to sell arms to Taiwan in violation of the principles established in the three Sino-US joint communiques, causing serious harm to the Sino-US relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," the paper said.
In the face of "unprecedented opportunities and challenges," China will "persist in taking the road of peaceful development," the paper said.
The paper also reviewed the three decades of China's defense expenditure, saying it stayed at "a reasonable and appropriate level."
Although China's defense expenditure increased from 1988 to 2008, the total amount and per-service-person share of China's defense spending remained lower than those of some major powers, the paper said.
The paper also for the first time devoted separate chapters to the army, navy, air force and second artillery force, introducing their capacities and functions.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in military expansion now or in the future, no matter how developed it becomes," the paper said.
China to modernize military while pursuing peaceful development
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-20 11:33 China on Tuesday issued a white paper on national defense, pledging to be committed to the peaceful development and advance its military modernization.
The paper for the first time unveiled China's ambition of "basically accomplishing mechanization (of the military) and making major progress in informationization by 2020" and "realizing modernization by the mid-21st century."
The white paper on "China's National Defense in 2008" was issued by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.
Vowing to strengthen the military by means of science and technology, the paper said China was working to "develop new and high-tech weaponry and equipment, conduct military training in conditions of informationization and build a modern logistics system in an all-round way."
On China's military strategic guideline of active defense, the paper said this guideline "aimed at winning local wars in conditions of informationization."
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Hu Changming takes part in a news conference to release China's national defense white paper in Beijing, January 20, 2009. [CNS]
On the current effort to streamline the armed forces, the paper said China is aimed at developing a complete set of "scientific modes" of organization, institutions and ways of operation by 2020.
Nuke Weapons Not Aimed At Any Country
The paper for the first time specified in detail China's long-standing policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."
"In peacetime, the nuclear missile weapons of the Second Artillery Force are not aimed at any country," the paper said while reaffirming the country's will to implement "a self-defensive nuclear strategy."
"But if China comes under a nuclear threat, the nuclear missile force of the Second Artillery Force will go into a state of alert, and get ready for a nuclear counterattack to deter the enemy from using nuclear weapons against China," the paper said.
The Second Artillery Force is China's name for its core force of strategic deterrence.
Under the direct command of the Central Military Commission, the nuclear armed force is aimed to deter nuclear strike from other countries and to conduct nuclear counterattacks and precision strikes with conventional missiles.
Security Situation Improving, Still Complicated
The paper, the sixth of its kind issued by the Chinese government since 1998, gave an overall picture of China's national defense ranging from the security environment, national defence policy, to defense expenditure and arms control.
Describing China's general security situation as "improving steadily," the 105-page document said "the situation across the Taiwan Straits has taken a significantly positive turn."
The paper attributed the improvement to the failed attempts of the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence" and the progress made in cross-Straits consultations.
However, "China is still confronted with long-term, complicated, and diverse security threats and challenges," the paper said, listing the threats of separatist forces of "Taiwan independence," "East Turkistan independence" and "Tibet independence."
"In particular, the United States continues to sell arms to Taiwan in violation of the principles established in the three Sino-US joint communiques, causing serious harm to the Sino-US relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," the paper said.
In the face of "unprecedented opportunities and challenges," China will "persist in taking the road of peaceful development," the paper said.
The paper also reviewed the three decades of China's defense expenditure, saying it stayed at "a reasonable and appropriate level."
Although China's defense expenditure increased from 1988 to 2008, the total amount and per-service-person share of China's defense spending remained lower than those of some major powers, the paper said.
The paper also for the first time devoted separate chapters to the army, navy, air force and second artillery force, introducing their capacities and functions.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in military expansion now or in the future, no matter how developed it becomes," the paper said.
Chinese military chief vows nuclear, conventional build-up
by Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Feb 2, 2009
China will accelerate the build-up of its nuclear and conventional arsenal to form a credible deterrent, the general in charge of the country's strategic missile force said.
"We will accelerate the building of our nuclear and conventional combat strength," said Jing Zhiyuan, the commander of the Second Artillery Corp, in an article he co-wrote for the authoritative journal Qiushi published on Sunday.
"We will strengthen the build-up of combat systems and improve the training of high-quality personnel," said the article.
China will also develop "a nuclear and conventional missile force corresponding to the needs of winning a war" in conditions changed by modern information technology, it said.
The Second Artillery Corps is an independent branch of the armed forces directly under the control of the powerful Central Military Commission. It is armed with hundreds of strategic and tactical missiles.
"The Second Artillery is the core of our nation's strategic deterrence. It is the main support pillar and backup force of our national security and development," the article said.
The corps' jobs include "deterring other countries from using nuclear weapons against China, and for conducting nuclear counter-attacks and precision strikes with conventional missiles," China said in a recent policy paper.
Quishi is a journal for the ruling Communist Party to publish policies and theories.
The United States has long expressed concern over China's military build-up, and accused the Chinese government of not being transparent about its defence spending.
China has said its military budget for 2008 was 417.8 billion yuan (61 billion dollars), a rise of 17.6 percent from the previous year.
by Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Feb 2, 2009
China will accelerate the build-up of its nuclear and conventional arsenal to form a credible deterrent, the general in charge of the country's strategic missile force said.
"We will accelerate the building of our nuclear and conventional combat strength," said Jing Zhiyuan, the commander of the Second Artillery Corp, in an article he co-wrote for the authoritative journal Qiushi published on Sunday.
"We will strengthen the build-up of combat systems and improve the training of high-quality personnel," said the article.
China will also develop "a nuclear and conventional missile force corresponding to the needs of winning a war" in conditions changed by modern information technology, it said.
The Second Artillery Corps is an independent branch of the armed forces directly under the control of the powerful Central Military Commission. It is armed with hundreds of strategic and tactical missiles.
"The Second Artillery is the core of our nation's strategic deterrence. It is the main support pillar and backup force of our national security and development," the article said.
The corps' jobs include "deterring other countries from using nuclear weapons against China, and for conducting nuclear counter-attacks and precision strikes with conventional missiles," China said in a recent policy paper.
Quishi is a journal for the ruling Communist Party to publish policies and theories.
The United States has long expressed concern over China's military build-up, and accused the Chinese government of not being transparent about its defence spending.
China has said its military budget for 2008 was 417.8 billion yuan (61 billion dollars), a rise of 17.6 percent from the previous year.
China resorts to artillery to fight drought
More than 4.3 million people and 2.1 million head of livestock are short of water, the relief headquarters said this week, as parts of the nation experience their worst drought since the early 1950s.
by Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Feb 8, 2009
China fired thousands of artillery shells into the sky to make it rain and prepared to divert water from its two longest rivers to fight the country's worst drought in decades, officials said Sunday.
Premier Wen Jiabao said the drought -- which has hit central and southwestern rice-growing provinces, as well as the north -- risked straining food supplies when people already faced hardships due to the economic crisis.
"The drought is still developing. Meteorologists forecast that there will be no major rain in the near-term," Wen was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency during a visit to drought-hit areas in Henan province.
"It is very difficult to fight a drought and ensure a good harvest," he said. "We must work very hard and relentlessly."
Weather-control officials launched 2,392 shells and 409 rockets packed with cloud-seeding chemicals in operations across the north of China Saturday, the China Meteorological Administration said in a statement.
The cloud-seeding brought up to five millimetres (0.2 inches) of rain to northern Hebei province, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Officials also announced plans to divert water from the Yangtze River, the country's longest, to areas of eastern Jiangsu province, Xinhua reported, quoting a senior Ministry of Water Resources emergency official.
Floodgates will also be opened in Inner Mongolia along the Yellow River, the country's second-longest river, to increase water supply for central Henan and eastern Shandong provinces, the official said, according to the report.
Beijing last week raised its drought emergency to the highest level for the first time and sent relief supplies and technical specialists to eight major drought-hit regions.
More than 4.3 million people and 2.1 million head of livestock are short of water, the relief headquarters said this week, as parts of the nation experience their worst drought since the early 1950s.
The dry spell highlights one of China's main long-term worries, as water resources are being rapidly depleted due to the country's fast economic growth.
The capital, Beijing, is particularly badly hit, with experts warning the city of 17 million people will soon face water shortages.
"", by Kenji Minemura, The Asahi Shimbun, 14 February, 2009:
More at the link. Speculative without further corroberating evidence, but time will tell one way or the other, as well upon the earlier reports that the PLAN intends to commence construction of two conventional CV's this year.
More at the link. Speculative without further corroberating evidence, but time will tell one way or the other, as well upon the earlier reports that the PLAN intends to commence construction of two conventional CV's this year.
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