China defends massive growth in military spending

So who is Fu?? Anyway, “As such a big country, China’s inability to ensure its own security would not be good news for the world,” Fu said. “Our strengthening of our defense is to defend ourselves, to defend security and peace, and not to threaten other countries.” Yes, we ALL BELIEVE CHINA, yeah right!! HAHAHA! Ask the Tibetans, Uighurs etc..how safe they feel being controlled by Beijing!

We are SO looking forward to the glory of war in China. So say we all.

“As such a big country, China’s inability to ensure its own security would not be good news for the world,” Fu said. “Our strengthening of our defense is to defend ourselves, to defend security and peace, and not to threaten other countries."

Uh, who actually believes this outside of China?

The only security being defended is the Politburo's retention of power.

And what of the news this weekend where Chinese anti-aircraft missiles and other deadly Chinese weapons were confiscated on an Iranian smuggling boat going to Yemen?

And, I thought China had no interest in Yemen and didn't know China has an interest in defending itself in Yemen?

By the way, the ship was not going to the Yemen government, but to jihaddis.... China has been warned in the past when Chinese anti-aircraft missiles were found in Iraq.

Good job defending your own security and peace there China!! Oh, and we really believe you this time.

Yes, we believe in China's "peaceful raise". But we trust Tibet, Uighur, India, Inner Mongol, Vietnam, Philippine, Russia, Japan. We don't want to be another Tibet.

" vast investments in the armed forces have contributed to global peace and stability"

This article should go in an entirely different section: ludicrous propaganda.

Anyone who believes the statement may also believe 2 + 2 ＝ 5.

vast investments in the armed forces have contributed to global peace and stability"

This article should go in an entirely different section: ludicrous propaganda.

Anyone who believes the statement may also believe 2 + 2 ＝ 5.

could you explain why don't you believe it?

its their money, they can spend it however they life and tell ya to shove it

It isn't the money the other countries are worried about.

It is important for China to increase its military spending (even though China's intention is to rise peacefully) especially in the face of Japan's renewed military ambition while its economy falters and its JPop loses to KPop, and while the US cuts its military spending due to its fiscal problems.

Even if the US manages to increase its military spending, China has to boost its military spending because the US may be targeting China while keeping an eye on Japan, but more importantly rather, the US never win in a war, especially in East Asia. There is a lot of unfinished business with Japan's military aggression, it has never repented nor apologize unlike Germany. However, Japan has to be very careful. It is sitting on a tectonic plate and China may not even want it as one of its provinces.

It isn't the money the other countries are worried about.

Not according unemployed graduate armies of EU and US. They have to worry about money everyday. Instead of China spending for defense, PRC should employ them as public relation officers for their foreign affairs.

" could you explain why don't you believe it?"

Start will chinese belligerence in its territorial disputes and aggressive rhetoric.

China sells weapons to anyone. When Hezbullah attacked Israel in 2006, it used Chinese missiles. Iran and other Muslim insurgent groups rely on Chinese weapons too. When Beijing says that its military spending has contributed to global peace and stability, that is a total farce.

As I've said before when push comes to shove, do more countries side with China or the US in attempting to maintain world "peace". The only ones that side with China are countries that have leaders that want power over people. If only China's government would stop being so blatantly façade like in everything they do.

coolprinceMar. 04, 2013 - 07:53PM JST It is important for China to increase its military spending (even though China's intention is to rise peacefully) especially >in the face of Japan's renewed military ambition while its economy falters

Peaceful rise my hindquarters Japan's "renewed military ambition" has been brought on ENTIRELY by China's aggressive behavior China has ZERO credibility in the eyes of the world in attempting to justify it's military buildup other than to be able to bully it's neighbors at best and become the hegonomic power of all Asia at worst .

I know if China had done more to simply help others instead of going the old route of subjugation and conquering of land then more countries would believe that China could increase its "defense" budget for peaceful purposes. But as it stands everyone knows China wants more land and resources and thinks that by "getting back" areas like Taiwan, and land in other regions nearby will get it those resources. Sorry, but China's only making their neighbors nervous. Good news is that Russia might not be too keen about that...

HonestDictatorMar. 04, 2013 - 10:41PM JST ... I know if China had done more to simply help others instead of going the old route of subjugation and conquering of land

China will not do any of that now, because during its history it endured nothing but subjugation, conquering and humiliation from many around, and also from many from far away. China just recently "came out of the jail", so to speak, and became independent. China will do more simply to help others, when the "others" will share similar values as China, either as being friends or controlled stated. Currently, China is antagonized to the "rest of the world", and thus, lacks altruistic approach. It arms itself, just like all the others do, who can afford it. This is the only way of things, we know.

We all have to appreciate that every country has a right to defend itself (even China).. but once offensive capabilities go overboard, people start to worry. Especially so with China because of the number of neighbouring countries and all have sour relations, everyone is looking over their shoulder..

China is clearly softening its words but its pretty clear they are developing offensive capabilities on par with the US for an upcoming resource war.. It will happen because as we have seen, no country in this area of the world want to share and develop it together, its all mine mine mine.

China needs to fine tune their diplomacy skills.

Yeah right Mr. Fu (Ling Yu). Weapons used for defense not for aggression towards other countries.

So who is Fu?? Anyway, “As such a big country, China’s inability to ensure its own security would not be good news for the world,” Fu said. “Our strengthening of our defense is to defend ourselves, to defend security and peace, and not to threaten other countries.” Yes, we ALL BELIEVE CHINA, yeah right!! HAHAHA! Ask the Tibetans, Uighurs etc..how safe they feel being controlled by Beijing!

all countries lie...remember we (the u.s.) are still looking for WMD in iraq. that was the reason we invaded right? definitely not because of the oil.

It is absolutely vital for China to increase military spending! Contrary to many misperceptions, a strongly armed China is just the right prescription for world peace!

Remember history, bad bad history that China will never forget. Gen McCarthur suggested nuking China during the Korean war. Another general Maxwell and Robert McNamara also suggested nuking China during the Sino Indian skirmish in 1962. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Indian_War China also fear being nuked by USSR during the tense border dispute in 1969 resulting in China building over 3000 miles of tunnels! So against this backdrop, China should and must build up her military to make sure no cowboy super power ever dare to threaten China again!

China is trying to make sure the Air Sea Battle conjured up by the Pentagon will never see the light of day. China build up is designed primarily for deterrence, never for offensive purpose. Nukes is just too scary and anybody who think China have the ultimate intention to grab lands using her military strength is just dishonest given the history of China not being a land grabber ( disputes is not land grabbing, and don't go there regarding border provinces, you need another forum to discuss) Besides China herself is at risk of being nuked if she starts to grab DISTANT lands that are not disputed.

All China do is finessing her military strength vs the US in particular so that the gung ho Pentagon will never dare suggest a stealth attack on China ever. NOW that is a world peace posturing by China, not an offensive military build up!

@tony: until they decide that patch of oil in the south china sea is historically theirs.. then its not an offensive military build up. That whole area is ridiculous and one should look at a map of soverignty claims by each nation! China claims the entire sea, vietnam claims the entire sea, the philippines a large part, brunei has portions, malaysia, et all.. each one basically going past the 200 nautical mile economic zone..

So if china is building up its military, one can't fault Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia from doing the same, for protection of course. Cold War ver 2 starting up here

China just recently "came out of the jail", so to speak, and became independent....

China became independent right after WWII. The only reason they have been "in jail" for so long is because Mao put them there. Otherwise China might have the standard of living of Japan, SK, or Taiwan.

While I agree that China's ability to defend itself does help peace in general the proliferation of weapons by China, as well as the Chinese propensity to make outrageous claims on territory like the fake "nine-dashed-line" are indications that China's ambitions are offensive, not defensive.

No wonder the neighbors are nervous.

@malfupeteMar. 05, 2013 - 01:36AM JST

@tony: until they decide that patch of oil in the south china sea is historically theirs.. then its not an offensive military build up. That whole area is ridiculous and one should look at a map of soverignty claims by each nation! China claims the entire sea, vietnam claims the entire sea, the philippines a large part, brunei has portions, malaysia, et all.. each one basically going past the 200 nautical mile economic zone..

So if china is building up its military, one can't fault Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia from doing the same, for protection of course. Cold War ver 2 starting up here

Any real sustained war in SSC not going to happen in a 'million years'. Any cold war is at the instigation by US sell more arms, jobs jobs jobs! The crux of the South China Seas disputes was due to the lack of clear markers especially flags and structures on those disputed islands, so during those days when Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinos fishing junk boats went, they overlap each other. Even Malaysia/Philippines now embroiled in Sabah disputes, nothing unusual in that part of the world.

China claims on those 9 dash islands only, not the whole SCS! It's the 9 dash islands and the 200 miles EEZ around it, nothing more. You have to remember Philippines send military asset first in Scarborough Shoals dispute, Vietnam drill oil first unilaterally in the Gulf of Tonkin while China just POSTURE, opening negotiation stance 9 dash islands, asking for BILATERAL negotiations. Contrast that with Japan 'nothing to negotiate' stance. That to me seems a very reasonable China so far and I suspect a 49/51 deal is possible once bad feelings are put aside.. You can say the SHADOW of China military might is intimidating to the neighbors, so is US, so what is the problem? It's natural to set aside a reasonable GDP for military and China is not going overboard. China's build up is primarily to balance US to improve her negotiation power, without US 'cover' for Vietnam or Philippines or Japan. China want to force them to negotiate one to one, turning US from a participant into just a spectator or a 'leading from behind' participant! China don't unilaterally initiate military action ever against her neighbors until forced by circumstances CAUSED by the other party. Vietnam 1979 Cambodia, Philippines sending NAVY to Scarborough Shoals first.

One more thing, it will be suicidal for China to land grab from her neighbors since China does a lot of trade with them. Besides reputation matters a lot to the Chinese even though she got a black eye now, time will show China is a benign upcoming superpower!

Tony Ew: Remember history, bad bad history that China will never forget. Gen McCarthur suggested nuking China during the Korean war.

A war that was planned by China and started by North Korea which was also supposed to include a takeover of Taiwan. If you don't want MacArthur to talk about nukes, then don't go into other countries.

Another general Maxwell and Robert McNamara also suggested nuking China during the Sino Indian skirmish in 1962. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Indian_War China

Yet another example of China firing the first shot. If you don't want McNamara to talk about nukes then don't go into other countries.

also fear being nuked by USSR during the tense border dispute in 1969 resulting in China building over 3000 miles of tunnels! So against this backdrop, China should and must build up her military to make sure no cowboy super power ever dare to threaten China again!

Russia and China have always had tension. One big benefit China had was the cooperation of the United States against Russia over the years. In all three of your examples I really don't see how a "cowboy" superpower did anything except help you or stop you from more aggression. It sounds like you want to building the military so other countries can stop threatening you when you cross the border.

China is going to build their military because it's what countries do. No real problem there. The problem is that they are far behind the West when it comes to building relationships with other countries, transparency, and diplomacy skills overall. That tends to lead to tension and conflict. So add that to increasing military strength and you can probably understand the concern.

@SuperLib

Let me put it simply: The Korean and Sino Indian wars were as much political systems, Communist vs Democratic systems and also bad borders drawn by the British separating China from India. Nowadays there is no ideology war, everybody moving to democracy, including China, so these two 'systems of governance wars' ain't going to recur.

As I said, China military build up is very very important for world peace to make sure no Pentagon futurist, visionaries ever recommend nuking China again! They even want to nuke Vietnam too! There is a problem with the military establishment in the US, unwilling to accept 'no good options' and tend to go for the Nuke Button, that Tactical Nuke is especially dangerous, leading down the slippery slope. That is why I am totally against tactical nukes by stealth F35 in Okinawa!

Wherever the West went to Asia during the last few centuries conflicts happen between countries, and also the countries were plundered by colonialism. Compare this with China Zheng He massive vogages 600+ years ago, China never plunder and conquer other countries. China had always operated on soft power and will continue to operate this way, using her new military build up to back up her power without using it. I guess it is called The Art of War!

Chinese military is getting much more transparent now. I guess it was due to weakness in development state before so by being opaque it is designed to show 'paper tiger' strength. Now, especially since last year you see China have being developing new improved UAV, Stealth Planes, Missiles, Ships, Carrier , ASATetc. There had being a breakout and China think she can take on US any time assuming same no of assets in a faceoff. The only lack of transparency I have to concede is How Many of each weapons she plan to make but actually it is very easy to track them, big items can be seen from satellites. Information is everywhere on the Chinese blogs for eg showing you how many destroyers are being built and the various state of development.

If China goes beyond rough parity with US, which is a long way off, then China is getting dangerous, but I don't see this coming yet!

Business is bloodless combat. The military is also finding and training computer programmers, highly specialized hackers whose as a team can attack other countries businesses, monitor emails, set up social media sites where you volunteer personal information... track you on your smartphone.. the Matrix is not a movie.

Idle talk will not do away with the communists in China. Why not organize a coalition of the willing a la Iraq and liberate China.

Tony Ew,

It was interesting to read your logic. You have just explained in black on white, why Chinese neighbors are so paranoid about China. I assume that you are not Chinese, or at least, not from China, and that is why I do not write "you", and such, and hope that your words may not entirely reflect Chinese position.

First of all, let me underline, how conveniently you mix factual threats and imaginary threats:

China also fear being nuked by USSR during the tense border dispute in 1969 resulting in China building over 3000 miles of tunnels! So against this backdrop, China should and must build up her military to make sure no cowboy super power ever dare to threaten China again!

I don't blame you. Sweden, for example, has built its entire foreign defense politics on scaring its population that Russia is about to invade tomorrow and it will take only 3 days to occupy Sweden (historically, it is Sweden, who invaded Russia). And that is the model democratic country with supposedly clever leadership. However, if China is so easy to believe that some other country is about to nuke it for no reason, so that it starts rushing piling tunnels, what will China do when it is armed as the US? How far it is from Chinese Iraq and preemptive nuclear strike? Bottom line: China had demonstrated military paranoia and lack of wisdom.

Second, you show that China aims to militarize itself at the level of the USA, but for defensive purposes. Good. Yet, already now, China picks on Japan, by physically provoking Japan to shoot down Chinese governmental ships, which will be used again against Japan for even more provoking and pressure. And, at the same time you say, that China wants to speak with Japan directly:

China want to force them to negotiate one to one, turning US from a participant into just a spectator

So, knowing that China is already aggressive against Japan, when Japan is supported by the US, and knowing that Japan is not building its military, you want to militarize China to the level of the US, get rid of the US and speak with Japan from an overwhelming military position? Now, you see what Japan is afraid of? A cowboy state?

The point is, China tries to defend itself, militarize itself, and then, speak with the neighbors from the position of force. They are afraid, because they do not know what China will demand. The Senkaku Islands? Taiwan? the South China Seas? Siberia? You name it.

While from you, we hear that China will only defend itself and serve for stability, from the Chinese government we hear "The Islands are ours!" and "Taiwan is ours!" and ... Whom would we rather believe?

Some of the increase in Chinese military spending is attributed to substantial increase in foreign arm sales, R&D, inflation, and wage increase for personnels. To pay for some of the Chinese increase in cost, China is routinely funnel military aid and arms to undemocratic nations, or exchange for raw materials. And China accounts for many many billions a year. For the last decade, China now transferred weaponry to majority of the countries involved in active conflicts with major human rights abuses, and this is increasing substantially. The arms trade is one that might be the benefits involving for China. The arms trade is also considered to be one of th most corrupt businesses in the world. The China's arms firms have been seeking markets abroad more fiercely than before.

The Chinese government ministers, civil servants and military officers have become so intimately involved in the arms export business. With the arms trade, Chinese governments and corporations can “cooperate” to meet their different political and economic agendas. For Chinese government though, selling arms can help other geopolitical and strategic interests.

sfjp330Mar. 05, 2013 - 05:03AM JST ... China now transferred weaponry to majority of the countries involved in active conflicts with major human rights abuses, and this is increasing substantially. ...

Yes. For example, all the "Kalashnikov" guns you see on photos of various rebels, fighters, terrorists and the other human baseline and scum, are produced either in China (if new), or in Eastern Europe (if new) or come from the dozen states of the former Soviet Union (if used).

"Fu said China maintained a strictly defensive military posture and cited U.N. peacekeeping missions and anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden as examples of Beijing’s contribution to world peace and stability."

Yeah, tell that to all the nations the PRC has sent it's so-called "defensive military" to take by force what their state produced history books claims is theirs.

The PRC is the single greatest threat to world peace and as the years go on the crazier it becomes. Thier dinosaur leaders are to fickle minded to see that the road they are traveling will be their own downfall. The PRC is one nudge away from all out civil war and war deaths would be that nudge.

These military budget increases are most likely needed to keep the Chinese people down.

Well, the U.S.A. is "fighting for peace," so why shouldn't China?

Both countries are as bad as one another.

BertieWooster Sam

China may be bad for her people. At least they did not kill the childrens in the name of attaking terrorists. It is better morally. Pls refer to

http://www.theolympian.com/2013/02/07/2413610/killing-children-in-other-nations.html

@Konsta

I am an American Chinese but that does not bother me, or influence me to be nationalist or blindly patriotic (remember Bush lies and US soldiers die needlessly?) I am looking for a proper balance in this complex situation.

There is not a chance for China to attack Japan even if China is parity with US. So is Taiwan. The reason is the economies are entwined too deeply for foolish adventurism by China. We are not living in ancient time and all past calculations don't work very well first because of the danger of becoming a Pariah Nation, plus the danger of being Nuked, and the government itself overthrown!. Even though Japan is under a pacifist constitution, nobody should believe Japan is weak. All the while Japan is working on missile technology cloaked as satellite launches, even the modern Epsilon Launch Vehicle quick firing and mobile absolutely scares any opponent!. Japan have tons of plutonium that can easily become dirty bomb for subs and surface or air launched missiles. So China will not ever want to get into actual war with Japan. Maybe a little skirmish out of frustration. In fact my theory is China military spending is designed to warn, to keep nationalists of all stripes, be it from Japan, India , Russia, USA in check so they understand the price of nationalism will be too high for them when China come calling!

As long as Japan says 'nothing to negotiate' China have no choice but to poke around the edges of Senkaku/Diaoyu islands for domestic consumption, not necessarily to inflame Japanese feelings, just like Noda islands purchase was done for internal politics but affect China's sensitivity . China fast navy and air force build up is very important to show Japan and US Made In China don't mean junk stuff but cutting edge missiles and stealth technology!. I think a few more modern destroyers,, stealthy frigates, a few more modern stealth fighters reaching operational status will force Japan to take China more seriously. When that point is reached soon, Japan will be forced to say 'Please Negotiate'!

The threat of modern nukes will deter China from going overboard in military spending to cow her neighbors with actual aggression. An actual nuke exchange will basically be over in about an hour, which leader dare to grab foreign lands? Nobody survive in this MAD exchange. Again China is attempting to practice the Art of War without firing a single shot but of course she will react if provoked. Now don't blame China for that!

Let me repeat: China is posturing with tough talk, back up with more military muscle, drawing up 9 dash line map in the passport. WHY should China seek bilateral negotiation once the map is drawn up? IT IS BECAUSE CHINA KNOWS SHE CANNOT HAVE IT ALL, SHE KNOWS SHE GOT TO SHARE! So I hope Japan is a little more flexible instead of 'nothing to negotiate', and the 200 EEZ is basically a Dead Zone for Japan!

@Tony Ew Let me be a cynic. Bilateral negotiation superficially sounds good, until we remember China refuses all other negotiations. Here is why: Bilateral negotiations aren't really negotiations when the power disparity is large. That's why we have labor unions instead of "bilateral negotiations" between the company and individual workers. So China can sound like she's being fair, when she's not.

As for negotiations themselves, starting negotiations on issues that weren't issues is called a demand, and is a sign of aggression.

All the while Japan is working on missile technology cloaked as satellite launches, even the modern Epsilon Launch Vehicle quick firing and mobile absolutely scares any opponent!. Japan have tons of plutonium that can easily become dirty bomb for subs and surface or air launched missiles.

Even if I accept this, I have to note that China is working on missile tech as real missiles and plutonium that are becoming thermonuclear weapons.

Tony Ew,

I agree with what you are saying.

I just don't like this build up of military - whether it's the U.S.A. or China.

The "American way" is hidden and covert. They fight proxy wars by giving arms, know how and money to terrorists and this is backfiring on them badly in the Middle East. They say that they are a democratic country, yet they are not. There are people who have been in prison in Guantanamo for years but they have had no trial. China is similar in this way. It does not treat political dissent kindly. And Tibet has been cruelly handled just as the U.S.A. has cruelly handled Iraq and Afghanistan. Neither the U.S.A. nor China have freedom of speech. In the U.S.A. because big business and the super rich control the media and in China because the government does.

That is what I meant by saying that these two countries are as bad as one another.

Perhaps the U.S.A. thinks it can win its covert war on China by bankrupting them with an insane arms build up as they did with the USSR. The US military parades its high tech weaponry and China feels it has to "defend" itself and the oneupmanship escalates until one or the other retires bleeding from the playing field.

But, as you say, the economies of China, Taiwan, Japan and the U.S.A. are so entwined that direct war is not possible. There is also the fact that there are so many like yourself who are American and Chinese. You and people like you would not let it happen.

The military buildup of China, the U.S.A. and Japan is equally senseless. The money and the energy is completely wasted. If we put this money and energy to discovering ways in which we can live together better and improve our quality of life without turning planet Earth into a smog covered lifeless billiard ball, it would be a much, much better thing.

I am neither anti-China nor anti-U.S.A., if I am anti-anything, I am anti-military.

could you explain why don't you believe it?"

Start will chinese belligerence in its territorial disputes and aggressive rhetoric.

it is depending on where you are living when you are using the word 'agressive'.. most of chinese belive it is Japan who are more agressive than China.

take a look back into the history, it is very clear who is much more agressive,. who invaded into China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippine... who kills millions of Asians in the WW2?

take easy brod.<>

Tony Ew: Let me repeat: China is posturing with tough talk, back up with more military muscle, drawing up 9 dash line map in the passport.

Just tell me: Do you believe that claim is correct and that contribute to "world peace" or "region's stability"? Or you see the 9 dash line is groundless and shameless claim? Except Chinese, everyone in this regions see China is the clear and present threat. Let me repeat: It's China's behavior that paints its face, not any "cow boy" state

@Kazuaki Shimazaki

@Tony Ew Let me be a cynic. Bilateral negotiation superficially sounds good, until we remember China refuses all other negotiations. Here is why: Bilateral negotiations aren't really negotiations when the power disparity is large. That's why we have labor unions instead of "bilateral negotiations" between the company and individual workers. So China can sound like she's being fair, when she's not.

I see where you are coming from. However there is no historical precedent of 'group bargaining power' where ASEAN can be used as a bargaining group against China. If you are China, I bet you will find this an offensive scheme cooked up by Philippines, Vietnam with Hillary pushing for this 'scheme' to force China to bargain in an 'adulterated' environment.. Besides we are talking about a sovereign nation, not individuals, company. A sovereign nation is supposed to have backbone to negotiate with another country, don't matter if the other country is big and nasty because if big China is perceived as unfair, you just don't give her a deal!

I actually feel it is the smaller nations that are too sensitive and always try to over compensate for their smaller status by demanding more from big China. But it would be naive to expect China to give more than 50%. How do the leaders explain to their citizens when they sell out their superpower to a weak small country? Basically we need far sighted leaders in Vietnam, Philippines and Japan instead of petty talk, small timer politics. I see no statesman in that area. Shameful!

Now will China bargain 'in good faith' bilaterally with a weaker country? I think so because China cannot drill for gas now while the dispute is on going or she looks bad internationally. China is more desperate to have the oil/gas than the other countries, so this fact is an advantage for the smaller guys. Both countries want a face saving way out if they agree to negotiate. China ask for bilateral negotiation so it is not a demand. If nationalism is set aside, deals could be had at about 51/49 split and it could be front loaded to favor one country and back loaded to favor another. Nothing is certain since drilling don't guarantee outcome. It just got to look good on paper to resolve this problem.

As for negotiations themselves, starting negotiations on issues that weren't issues is called a demand, and is a sign of aggression

You presupposes there weren't issues. This is exactly the position Japan take with 'nothing to negotiate'. Carry on with your self delusion and you can wait 10,000 years to drill any oil there or develop the islands! China is not disputing in areas like Tasmania, Australia where clearly there is no issues to begin with, no Chinese presence there ever. But not so in the China Seas where there is a rich history of Chinese presence and maps were drawn before PRC took over. So China's demand for negotiation is not an aggression as you would like others to believe.

So I welcome China modernizing her military so there is no confusion whatsoever that China mean serious business and will not be jerked around by anybody. China have 150 years of humiliation and the memory is still very fresh. Any country with such history rightfully should increase military spending up to a limit before she become a menace to others. China had not initiate any military action against others unless pushed against the wall. China is far from becoming a menace to the global community and US presence in Guam is a good place to keep China in check.

@toanndsMar. 05, 2013 - 05:43PM JST

Tony Ew: Let me repeat: China is posturing with tough talk, back up with more military muscle, drawing up 9 dash line map in the passport.

Just tell me: Do you believe that claim is correct and that contribute to "world peace" or "region's stability"? Or you see the 9 dash line is groundless and shameless claim? Except Chinese, everyone in this regions see China is the clear and present threat. Let me repeat: It's China's behavior that paints its face, not any "cow boy" state

There is no country in the world more maligned than China because of fine misrepresentations done by the West. China is honest but fail to articulate properly so let me try to set the record straight. The China Seas 9 -dash line and Senkaku/Diaoyu disputes don't happen out of thin air. Claims were made, maps were drawn, junk fishing boats went to all those islands by all countries, Continental Shelf mapped out. You never hear of China claiming islands outside the China Seas, not the Maldives, not Sri Lanka, not Tasmania, Australia and the simple reason is China have nothing to back up any claims in those areas. China only claim islands where she think she is at least entitled to a share of it. How strong is China's case I cannot be sure, but there is enough documentations to give China the rights to those islands, perhaps much more than the other parties.

China will not be bullied by smaller countries ganging up on her. This threat had subsided but China is taking no chances and thus building up her military is the right thing to do as long as China don't initiate aggressive action against other countries. (China has proven peaceful so far!)

A strong militarily armed China is good for world peace believe it or not! The reason as I said is this makes adventurism by other countries specifically US less likely. People should check out the wild ideas of Andrew Marshall from the Pentagon Air Sea Battle Plan. This is a good reason why China should upgrade her military and hopefully make stealth F22 and F 35 fighters vulnerable so as to make war even less likely. This means good for world peace!

@Tony Ew:

There is no country in the world more maligned than China because of fine misrepresentations done by the West.

Just look at the nine-dash-line map which licks all neighbors's EEZ then answer my questions honestly without thinking about the West or China: Is that groundless and shameless? How does this map impress you?

You never hear of China claiming islands outside the China Seas, not the Maldives, not Sri Lanka, not Tasmania, Australia

Chinese leaders: "That is part of future plan, once we became world number one superpower. Please ask our scholars prepare historic proofs as what they have done for South China Sea. Ask them to make it thousand years old and if possible they should fool C-14 dating"

China will not be bullied by smaller countries ganging up on her. This threat had subsided but China is taking no chances and thus building up her military is the right thing to do as long as China don't initiate aggressive action against other countries. (China has proven peaceful so far!)

Neighbors: We don't take chances either. We don't want to be another Tibet.

This is a good reason why China should upgrade her military and hopefully make stealth F22 and F 35 fighters vulnerable so as to make war even less likely.

Chinese leaders: Don't worry, we stolen all Western intellectual properties already. Don't you see our building in Shanghai had made a big news on enemy newspapers recently? We will use what we have stolen to make our own F2200 and F3500 in the same way we did to the Soviet Su-27!

This means good for world peace!

Sure, once we became number one superpower, every country will have peace: Let China control natural resources, your peace is guaranteed!

@Tony Ew:

China only claim islands where she think she is at least entitled to a share of it. How strong is China's case I cannot be sure, but there is enough documentations to give China the rights to those islands, perhaps much more than the other parties.

Oh yes, with such a strong stand China definitely has not thing to fear at the court. Take into account that China has refused to go to court with Philippine, I guess this tiny neighbor has some bigger weapons that the defendant scare: the apparent truth that recognized by UNCLOS and anyone with common sense when look at the nine-dash-line.

From "I cannot be sure" becomes "there is enough" and "perhaps much more than other parties" :D. This is the mentality that China's neighbors have been observing and afraid when China's military spending at 2 digits. I guess either you have not taken at the nine-dash-line by your self or your brain was washed by China. Such a claim has no basis under UNCLOS which China it self is a member. That's the reason why it refused to go to court and use the lame excuse "bilateral talk only". This also shows how effective China propaganda is. Claiming something well inside neighbor EEZ and thousand kilometers away is already quite amazing. What even more amazing is brainwashing the whole race to believe in that groundless/shameless lie!

@toannds

I love that song by The Kinks : Paranoia Great Destroyer! Basically people should not live in ancient times. The number one reason for all this paranoia is politiking by China enemies followed by lack of understanding of history.

The reason China won't be an expansionist is US check on China with at least a deterrence in Guam and Australia. Besides with all the trade China have with others, you can paint China as expansionist but others will see this as totally baseless and stupid.

Your IP theft is off topic, but look at the West history, there is not that much difference.

As long as China weaponry is not overwhelming, there is no risk of war or invasion by China on neighbors. US/USSR had finesse peace during the Cold War, now US/China will finesse a 'Hot Peace'

The whole idea of China increased military spending, especially improving counterattack strategies with new destroyers, stealth planes, submarines, drones and ability to shoot down US military satellites even in GEO orbit ( test withheld to avoid raising tension with US) all these upgrades are designed to make sure US don't miscalculate and attack China first. It is never designed to make pre emptive attack on neighbors who trade with China.

People who keeps painting China as aggressive assumes China is run by a bunch of imbeciles but sorry, China is run by wise technocrats, not manipulative politicians armed with lawyers and speech writers who twist facts to gain political mileage.

Tony Ew Mar. 08, 2013 - 03:45AM JST People who keeps painting China as aggressive assumes China is run by a bunch of imbeciles but sorry, China is run by wise technocrats, not manipulative politicians armed with lawyers and speech writers who twist facts to gain political mileage.

You might be right, but one of the problems of Chinese goverment is the apparent lack of communication between China’s civilian goverment and military leadership. There seems to be a disconnection between China's military and civilian goverment and sometimes you have to wonder who is in command and in charge. This is the reasons why Japan and U.S. needs to improve high level dialogue with China on military issues for more transparency to minimize future accidents. They need to know who is in control of the Chinese military and who has the ultimate authority, and there is doubt that President Xi Jinping and the civilian leadership has control of their military. The recent incident of radar locking raises questions about the role of its Chinese military, as other top civilians apparently were unaware of the military action.

@sfjp330Mar. 08, 2013 - 03:59AM JST

Tony Ew Mar. 08, 2013 - 03:45AM JST People who keeps painting China as aggressive assumes China is run by a bunch of imbeciles but sorry, China is run by wise technocrats, not manipulative politicians armed with lawyers and speech writers who twist facts to gain political mileage.

You might be right, but one of the problems of Chinese goverment is the apparent lack of communication between China’s civilian goverment and military leadership. There seems to be a disconnection between China's military and civilian goverment and sometimes you have to wonder who is in command and in charge. This is the reasons why Japan and U.S. needs to improve high level dialogue with China on military issues for more transparency to minimize future accidents. They need to know who is in control of the Chinese military and who has the ultimate authority, and there is doubt that President Xi Jinping and the civilian leadership has control of their military. The recent incident of radar locking raises questions about the role of its Chinese military, as other top civilians apparently were unaware of the military action.

A while back I had said China may be run by a three headed hydra! You never know who is calling the shots in critical situations. The civilian leader Mr Hu, the military head or the retired politician Mr Jiang Zemin.

However now Mr Xi is the new civilian leader there is no more confusion. He have experiences in the military, his dad was a revolutionary with Mao so his authority is final. Not like Mr Hu without enough military base support. So now I think command and control is much more streamlined and it is good for everybody in the sense there is a clear understanding who is calling the shots.

Again I want people to just understand China's military spending is not out of whack vs US. China is mostly modernizing her destroyers, frigates and other assets. This is very important so that Japan will not try to frame China re the radar lock incident. because some Chinese destroyers were a generation behind probably. The new ones incorporate latest technology Japan or US have, so this as I said is important to prevent any shenanigans by another country to abuse China! Chinese military should be allowed to sail to the Pacific for naval exercises without being harassed by Japan near the disputed islands choke point. Chinese naval and air assets are way behind US in quality so people should just relax about more Chinese military spending for the next few years . After that maybe there is a cause for concern.