China to Continue Modernizing Military
BEIJING (AP) - China said Friday it will strengthen its military to thwart any attempt by Taiwan to push for independence, but vowed that it was committed to the peaceful development of the world's largest army.
A report issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, also said the country's defense policy will focus on protecting its borders and sea space, cracking down on terrorism and modernizing its weapons.
"China will not engage in any arms race or pose a military threat to any other country," the 91-page white paper said. "China is determined to remain a staunch force for global peace, security and stability."
The communist nation's 2.3 million-strong military is the world's largest but has been criticized for its lack of transparency about its buildup.
Its reported 2006 budget is $35.3 billion, but analysts believe the true figure, which doesn't include weapons purchases and other key items, is several times higher.
One of Beijing's key short-term goals has been to take a firm stand against any independence efforts by Taiwan, the self-ruled island that the communist mainland claims as part of its territory. It has hundreds of missiles pointed in its direction across the Taiwan Straits.
China has also spent heavily to beef up its arsenal with submarines, jet fighters and other high-tech weapons.
"The struggle to oppose and contain the separatist forces for Taiwan independence and their activities remains a hard one," the report said.
It indirectly criticized the United States for promising Beijing that it will adhere to the "one-China" policy, "but it continues to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, and has strengthened military ties with Taiwan."
Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but remains Taiwan's major foreign backer, and is committed by law to providing it weapons to defend itself against possible Chinese attack.
China has announced double-digit military spending increases nearly every year since the early 1990s, causing unease among its neighbors.
But despite its huge size, its forces are said to lag well behind those of other major countries. In recent years, leaders have focused on improved training and advanced technology, hoping to close that gap.
"This increase ... is compensatory in nature, and is designed to enhance the originally weak defense foundation," the white paper said. "It is a moderate increase in step with China's national economic development."
It said the Army is speeding up upgrades of battle equipment while the Navy is building up its weaponry and troops. The Air Force is giving priority to the development of new fighters as well as air and missile defense weapons, it said. No details were given.
The report also highlighted what is said was the "growing complexities in the Asia-Pacific security environment."
Washington and Japan are also "strengthening their military alliance in pursuit of operational integration" as Tokyo seeks to revise its constitution and "exercise collective self-defense," the report said.
The move is likely to worry China - a nuclear power and member of the U.N. Security Council - which is still working with Japan to soothe residual bitterness over wartime atrocities.
The report said China "remains firmly committed to the policy of no first-use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances."
All this is taking place with the backdrop of North Korea's first nuclear test, the uncertainty surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions and continued turbulence in the Middle East, it said.
The also announced the completion of China plan to trim the military by 200,000 to 2.3 million. The cuts, announced in 2003, were aimed at compressing the chain of command and making the army more responsive.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061229/D8MA9FRG1.html
Personal note: China is spending a lot of money on its military. Large amounts of money from its GDP is channeled to the military. In the bible, it is predicted late in the tribulation period, an army of 200 million from the East called the King of the East will invade the Middle East. I don't know how the number can be so much though some say it's actually a demonic army. But some beg to differ by saying China has 200 million adult men capable of fighting or saying that China could combine forces with the nations in the Orient & Asia to form such a big force. I don't know how it's going to play out but I hope to be raptured if possible. By the look of this news, bible prophecy is coming to fruition. In the not too distant future, there is going to be a big war called the Armageddon in the Middle East, precisely at Jerusalem or Mount Meggido. Jesus gonna come as the King of kings & Lord of lords to wage war against the rebels and destroy them all with the sword from His mouth. I pray you & I will not be there to partake of His wrath. Blood flows the whole of Palestine & up to the horses' bridle. Pls accept Christ before too late.
A report issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, also said the country's defense policy will focus on protecting its borders and sea space, cracking down on terrorism and modernizing its weapons.
"China will not engage in any arms race or pose a military threat to any other country," the 91-page white paper said. "China is determined to remain a staunch force for global peace, security and stability."
The communist nation's 2.3 million-strong military is the world's largest but has been criticized for its lack of transparency about its buildup.
Its reported 2006 budget is $35.3 billion, but analysts believe the true figure, which doesn't include weapons purchases and other key items, is several times higher.
One of Beijing's key short-term goals has been to take a firm stand against any independence efforts by Taiwan, the self-ruled island that the communist mainland claims as part of its territory. It has hundreds of missiles pointed in its direction across the Taiwan Straits.
China has also spent heavily to beef up its arsenal with submarines, jet fighters and other high-tech weapons.
"The struggle to oppose and contain the separatist forces for Taiwan independence and their activities remains a hard one," the report said.
It indirectly criticized the United States for promising Beijing that it will adhere to the "one-China" policy, "but it continues to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, and has strengthened military ties with Taiwan."
Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but remains Taiwan's major foreign backer, and is committed by law to providing it weapons to defend itself against possible Chinese attack.
China has announced double-digit military spending increases nearly every year since the early 1990s, causing unease among its neighbors.
But despite its huge size, its forces are said to lag well behind those of other major countries. In recent years, leaders have focused on improved training and advanced technology, hoping to close that gap.
"This increase ... is compensatory in nature, and is designed to enhance the originally weak defense foundation," the white paper said. "It is a moderate increase in step with China's national economic development."
It said the Army is speeding up upgrades of battle equipment while the Navy is building up its weaponry and troops. The Air Force is giving priority to the development of new fighters as well as air and missile defense weapons, it said. No details were given.
The report also highlighted what is said was the "growing complexities in the Asia-Pacific security environment."
Washington and Japan are also "strengthening their military alliance in pursuit of operational integration" as Tokyo seeks to revise its constitution and "exercise collective self-defense," the report said.
The move is likely to worry China - a nuclear power and member of the U.N. Security Council - which is still working with Japan to soothe residual bitterness over wartime atrocities.
The report said China "remains firmly committed to the policy of no first-use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances."
All this is taking place with the backdrop of North Korea's first nuclear test, the uncertainty surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions and continued turbulence in the Middle East, it said.
The also announced the completion of China plan to trim the military by 200,000 to 2.3 million. The cuts, announced in 2003, were aimed at compressing the chain of command and making the army more responsive.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061229/D8MA9FRG1.html
Personal note: China is spending a lot of money on its military. Large amounts of money from its GDP is channeled to the military. In the bible, it is predicted late in the tribulation period, an army of 200 million from the East called the King of the East will invade the Middle East. I don't know how the number can be so much though some say it's actually a demonic army. But some beg to differ by saying China has 200 million adult men capable of fighting or saying that China could combine forces with the nations in the Orient & Asia to form such a big force. I don't know how it's going to play out but I hope to be raptured if possible. By the look of this news, bible prophecy is coming to fruition. In the not too distant future, there is going to be a big war called the Armageddon in the Middle East, precisely at Jerusalem or Mount Meggido. Jesus gonna come as the King of kings & Lord of lords to wage war against the rebels and destroy them all with the sword from His mouth. I pray you & I will not be there to partake of His wrath. Blood flows the whole of Palestine & up to the horses' bridle. Pls accept Christ before too late.
posted by Sinner saved by grace at 10:41 PM
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