Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

PLA naval forces in recent years to develop.
Chinese Navy’s new destroyer fleet.
senior officials to visit U.S. navy equipment. U.S. House Armed Services Committee website

13 Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific announced in the latest hearing, China’s military content of the speech. Part of the Navy, Willard said, as of 2009, China has 27 destroyers, 48 ??frigates, 70 missile patrol craft, 55 amphibious ships, 40 mine ships, 50 large-scale aid and logistical support ship. Part of China’s naval modernization include the development of carrier-based air defense systems and advanced sea-skimming anti-ship supersonic cruise missiles. In addition, China is seeking to develop an aircraft carrier, and deployed the world’s largest more than 60 conventional submarines.

continued surge in the number of PLA ships

Willard said that China currently still actively advancing its military modernization program, designed to achieve a wide range of targets in . Moreover, in the past 10 years, the military modernization program have been double-digit growth each year’s defense budget support. Although the People’s Liberation Army leaders, as always, claim that these are defensive development, but the range of military modernization, are keen for a wide range of advanced training, military projection capabilities significantly enhance military transparency and, most importantly, the lack of the Beijing government’s advocated by the suspect.

recently, the PLA will be more focused on attracting and retaining professional staff and non-commissioned officer on the core. They are intended by the advanced training and education, provision of housing and resettlement work after retirement incentives, to create a more positive, well-trained and professional army, able to perform extensive joint combat missions.

Willard said that China continues to develop anti-access systems, which will be away from the coast of China into the Air Force and Navy within the scope of their control. Moreover, the PLA Navy is building a “blue water navy ‘capability, including development to long-range combat surface ships and submarines. Willard said that by 2009, China has about 27 destroyers, 48 ??frigates, 70 missile patrol craft, 55 amphibious ships, 40 mine ships, 50 large-scale aid and logistics support ships, total over 290. Part of China’s naval modernization include the development of sophisticated ship-borne air defense systems and supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missiles.

In addition, Chinese leaders are also seeking the aircraft carrier capability. In 1998, China purchased an unfinished Soviet Union, “Kuznetsov” (Kuznetsov) class aircraft carrier, and in 2002 received the Dalian Shipyard in renovation. In this regard, Willard predicted that the carrier is expected to be fielded around 2012, and may be used to develop the basic carrier technology.

China continues to deploy conventional submarines – Currently, China already has more than the total number of 60, the world’s largest conventional submarine force. Moreover, China also has a number of nuclear-powered fast attack and ballistic missile submarines. In addition, China is also developing a new submarine-launched ballistic missile – JL-2, the missile can reach U.S. West Coast.

Willard claimed that China is deploying more and more sophisticated use of fighter aircraft, including Su-27 purchased from Russia, China-made Su-30 and the fourth-generation fighters. People’s Liberation Army Air Force and Naval Air Force pilots and will focus on improving maritime air operators to participate in such comprehensive, multi-aircraft plans proficiency. Moreover, China is still the DF-21 missile-based anti-ship aircraft carrier for the development of a ballistic missile.

recently, the PLA carried out a “joint military services” means the exercise, different military services are moving towards a common goal. Moreover, in the modern U.S. military operations and fighting for a few years of observation, the PLA leaders convinced of the need to increase inter-service integration, including joint action to enhance the tactical level. In addition, the PLA also increased in a relatively harsh conditions (such as electromagnetic interference environment) training.

China’s nuclear force can cover most areas of the world

Willard said, adding that China’s nuclear forces are maintained to cover much of the world, this including the continental United States. Moreover, increasingly sophisticated road mobile launch system and the “Gem” class ballistic missile submarine development, has enhanced the ability of this PLA. In addition, although the Chinese claim to oppose the weaponization of space, but the PLA is developing anti-satellite capability, but also in January 2007 proved to be strong – when China’s use of a direct increase in the lead shot down an abandoned their meteorological satellite.

However, the U.S. military and government networks and computer systems are still affected by the attacks apparently originated in China. Although most attacks are mainly concentrated in copying data over, but the technology can be used to show the wartime computer network attack

Willard pointed out that mainland China remains committed to eventual reunification with Taiwan, but does not rule out the use of force possible. In fact, China’s expanding military power has undermined the cross-strait balance of power. Accordance with the “Taiwan Relations Act” provisions of the United States to “provide Taiwan with defensive weapons and the United States to keep against the people of Taiwan will jeopardize the safety or social and economic system of any resort to force or other coercive forms of capacity.” Wei Ladd said the United States Pacific Command on a daily basis to meet these obligations.

to meet domestic demand for natural resources, to consolidate the sovereignty of the area has been declared, the PLA to enhance many of the South China Sea waters of the sovereignty declaration, including the disputed Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands. Therefore, the PLA Navy is already increased its patrols in the South China Sea, and it seems no longer afraid of other countries in the region with high seas and the disputed island chain in the confrontation. In addition, China and Japan has declared a dispute over sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, and China, there are border disputes with India. As an important part of overall strategy, the PLA has been in line with international practice and not the way, some international law (such as “United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea”) is explained, but also adopted to further enhance its sovereignty declaration of domestic law.

PLA modernization opportunities and challenges for the United States

Willard said that the current United States Pacific Command still maintains its military cooperation between the People’s Liberation Army – high-level exchange of visits between the two sides. November 2009, the Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Xu During the visit, on further deepening China-US military relations with the U.S. Defense Gai Cida a consensus. US-China military relations as the main executing agency of the U.S. Pacific Command, the PLA hopes to work with the common practical and concrete measures to strengthen military ties between the two countries. These include high-level visits, exchange of observers to participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises, the Navy intersection training (naval passing exercise) as well as prisoners of war to continue/Combat missing (POW/MIA) statistics. People’s Liberation Army leadership has expressed interest in expanding counter-terrorism, anti-piracy, maritime security and prevent nuclear weapons proliferation and other areas of military cooperation.

as Sino-US Military Maritime Consultation Mechanism (MMCA) implementation of the main, the summer of 2009, the U.S. Pacific Command and the People’s Liberation Army officials in Beijing co-hosted a discussion on military maritime safety. Maritime military security discussion began in 1998, aimed at the two countries close to each other when the fighter planes and warships to protect the personal safety of pilots and seamen. December 2009, defense consultations held in Honolulu (DPCT) meeting, the two sides agreed to resume maritime military security consultations, and as an effective tool of diplomacy, to resolve maritime and air safety related issues. Moreover, the two sides are currently discussing the next maritime military security consultations of the plenary meeting time and topic.

However, to protect its sea lines of communication (SLOC), the Chinese government entrusted the mission of the PLA led to both challenges and opportunities. These missions include the protection of their energy and the transport of goods, and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) within the resource security. In fact, the Chinese navy and foreign fleets clash in the South China Sea has been effective accident confirmed the cause of challenges, including the March 2009 case of “flawless incident.” On the other hand, sea lines of communication should be included safety areas, including the U.S. Navy as a Navy Navy as a common regional interests, making military cooperation opportunities.

Willard said, Beijing leaders have consistently argued that China’s nuclear weapons program based on deterrence purposes only and will not be the first to use. They expressed opposition to the Korean Peninsula nuclear technology and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Beijing government’s position on these issues for the two countries under the framework of the six-party talks and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 and 1874, the settlement of the DPRK nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons on North Korea continued cooperation and laid a basis.

In addition, prisoners of war and fighting a joint investigation of missing persons Command (JPAC) conducted in China’s efforts, Sino-US relations has had a positive impact. The headquarters of China successfully completed the investigation and rescue missions, and the PLA’s military operations in the delay did not affect the unilateral joint investigation headquarters current task. Moreover, the command also plans in August 2010 and September to the Chinese mission.

Willard pointed out that, historically, the U.S. military leaders during a crisis there is very little correspondence. To solve this problem, in 1997, defense hotline between the two countries for the establishment of a preparation; February 2008, the two sides formally agreed and in March the same year to complete the installation. Since then, the U.S. Secretary of Defense and other senior leaders will be able to by defense hotline, and PLA leaders directly with the level of secure communications. In May 2008, after a strong earthquake in Sichuan, China broke out, when the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating through the Defense Hotline, Ma Xiaotian, the People’s Liberation Army Deputy Chief of Staff asked to find relief for related matters. However, despite the success of this communication, but the use of this important tool as a means of coordinating the crisis has not yet formalized, this is our common interest in a room for improvement.

In addition, Willard added that the 2000 Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) listed China-US military relations that hinder the normal development of four things: US-Taiwan military relations, the United States Taiwan sale within the United States exclusive economic zone in China’s air and sea operations, and fiscal year 2000 Defense Authorization Act requires the Department of Defense submitted to Congress’ annual report on Chinese military power. “Chinese side believes that for fiscal year 2000 defense authorization bill the legal limit Specific terms of the field of contact to provoke a US-China military relations hinder the stable development.

Conclusion

Willard concludes that the overall situation, people will easily find that US-China relations have become increasingly complex. To solve these complex problems and the development of Sino-US relations through a variety of ways, not only in line with U.S. interests, but also in line with the interests of Asia-Pacific countries. For the U.S. Pacific Command, its purpose is clear opportunity for close cooperation between China and the U.S. can, and encourage China’s strategic intentions and its increasingly sophisticated fighting force and the local state as a non-constructive, and actions contrary to international norms coherence. Willard finally stressed that the focus of the U.S. Congress not only China, but should be gradually throughout the growing importance of Asia-Pacific region. In exchanges with China, the U.S. message must be consistent, and need to meet America’s principles and values. (Compass)