US concerned over China's military power
(The Daily Yomiuri)
Updated: 2006-02-05 09:22

http://www.asianewsnet.net/level3_template1.php?l3sec=4&news_id=52045

The US Defence Department on Friday (Feb 3) released its Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR), strongly indicating its concern over China, which is expanding its military capabilities.

In the QDR, which outlines defence policies the United States should pursue over the next 20 years, the Pentagon stressed three priorities: How to deal with countries at strategic crossroads -- including China; the ongoing war against terrorism; and ways to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

With regard to China, India and Russia, the QDR said the choices these countries made "will be the key factors in determining the international security environment of the 21st century."

Even the United States, the sole superpower, cannot secure her safety alone. Gaining the cooperation of not only allied countries, but also nonallied ones is the key to her safety.

Accordingly, the United States will adopt a carrot-and-stick approach toward its allies. Although it will aim to foster cooperation, the United States will be prepared to move against an adversary if necessary.

China seen as potential foe

In the QDR the Pentagon cited China as having the "greatest potential to compete militarily with the United States."

With regard to the potential capability of China's military technologies, the QDR said that unless the United States implemented necessary measures, China "could, over time, offset traditional US military advantages," illustrating the depth of Washington's concern about China's future military development.

In the previous QDR, released shortly after the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the Pentagon expressed concern over the emergence of military power hostile to the United States in a region stretching from the Middle East to Northeast Asia. Although it didn't specify China by name, the Pentagon was aware of that country's military potential.

This time, the Pentagon was more forceful due to US scepticism over China's strategic intentions. China markedly is increasing its military expenditures, and boosting its nonconventional military capabilities.

In the annual report on China's military capabilities submitted to Congress in July, the Pentagon said that were China's rapid military modernisation to continue, it would certainly present a threat to neighboring areas.

This was the first time the Pentagon had referred to a China "threat." The new QDR is a logical extension of this argument.

With its military shrouded in secret, China is increasing its nuclear arsenal, and actively setting forth into the open sea.

US focus firmly on Pacific

As part of the global realignment of US forces, the Pentagon has drawn up a policy that seeks to reduce its number of operational aircraft carriers worldwide from 12 to 11. However, it wants its number of Pacific-based carriers to stay at six.

In tandem with a policy of deploying 60 per cent of its submarines in the Pacific, this shows the importance the Pentagon attaches to the region as the one where quick military action will most likely be necessary.

The new QDR also called for reinforcing US alliances with Australia, Japan and South Korea.

A 2004 incident, in which a Chinese nuclear submarine intruded into Japan's territorial waters, revealed that China was conducting intelligence gathering activities as far from its coast as Guam.

Japan shares the United States' concern over China's military capabilities. How to deal with China is a top-priority issue that must be dealt with in the framework of the Japan-US alliance.