This could have an effect on GM China, then again maybe not

[Oracle of Delphi]

Report says China’s military likely to add to Beijing-Washington strains

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is warning China in blunt language that despite Beijing’s massive military buildup, it lacks the power for a successful attack against rival Taiwan.

The annual report on China’s military, released Friday, is likely to add to rising tension between Washington and Beijing at a time when U.S. lawmakers are considering bills that would punish China for what they contend are predatory trade practices.

The report was released on the day the largest high-level Chinese delegation ever to visit the United States left Washington after economic meetings with frustrated lawmakers and with senior Bush administration officials yielded few results.

In the report, the Defense Department explicitly describes what would happen if China should attack Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that Beijing claims as its own. It says China does not yet have “the military capability to accomplish with confidence its political objectives on the island, particularly when confronted with the prospect of U.S. intervention.”

An attack could severely damage China’s economy and lead to international sanctions, spur a Taiwan insurgency that could tie up the Chinese military for years, and possibly cause Beijing to lose its coveted hosting rights for the 2008 Olympics, the report said.

“Finally, China’s leaders recognize that a conflict over Taiwan involving the United States would give rise to a long-term hostile relationship between the two nations — a result that would not be in China’s interests,” the report said.

Michael Pillsbury, a former Pentagon official who now serves as an adviser on China issues, called the Taiwan language the “most blunt warning in any U.S. document in history to China of the really bad things that will happen if they attack Taiwan.”

The Chinese Embassy did not return messages Friday seeking comment on the Pentagon report. But China has reacted angrily to previous reports and has insisted that its multibillion-dollar military buildup is defensive.

No breakthrough in economic meetings

The report comes after high-level U.S.-China economic meetings this week failed to reach any breakthrough on the countries’ biggest economic dispute: China’s currency, which American manufacturers say is undervalued by as much as 40 percent. That makes Chinese products cheaper for Americans and U.S. goods more expensive in China.

The Pentagon report also said the People’s Liberation Army has been acquiring better missiles, submarines and aircraft and should more fully explain the purpose of a military buildup that has led some to view China as a threat. It noted, however, that “the PLA remains untested in modern warfare.”

Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute, said China’s military still is relatively modest, despite the country’s huge population and booming economy.

“There really isn’t much in China’s military programs that would lead you to the conclusion that they want to do anything beyond being influential in East Asia,” he said.

If the Bush administration were truly worried about the possibility of a Chinese military challenge, he said, it would be rethinking the vibrant trade ties between the countries, which it has yet to do.

“If China was really a threat, would we be moving our factories there at the rate of one a day?” he asked. “During the Cold War, nobody in America ever proposed building television sets or cars in Russia.”

Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18875239/

Edited May 26, 2007 by Pontiac Custom-S

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

LOL...

I have a feeling that one day we WILL regret our dependence on China, sooner rather than later too.

In the past China has repeatedly stated that they will surpass us as the global superpower. Whether that comes through military might (which they will eventually have) or the economic games they play with us remains to be seen.

[CARBIZ]

We live in interesting times. I am afraid that we may soon look upon the Cold War as "the good ol' days." I hope we are on the right track by trying turning China into another capitalist success. If we are wrong, we are only teaching them how to beat us at our own game.

[FAPTurbo]

I think the buildup is targeted not so much at Taiwan... instead... it's targeted towards India.

Edited May 26, 2007 by Captainbooyah

[JT64]

... same language people are using to describe toyota.

toyota will only work with others, if it benefits them the most.

The USA will only work with others, if USA comes out #1.

Yes we want the world to be capitalist, but as long as we're better than you, and you serve us.

The USA helps other countries, but keeps them down at the same time. .. reason for hate?

[CSpec]

China would be absolutely insane to attack Taiwan, though the US would be insane to engage in a full-scale hot war.

[Flybrian]

China would be absolutely insane to attack Taiwan, though the US would be insane to engage in a full-scale hot war.

China's offensive capability could be largely neutralized by strategic nuclear strikes on select military targets and unlike the Soviet Union, China's military assests are typically not co-located with large population centers. Likewise, metropolitan defenses aren't as strong compared to the USSR.

If China was to attack Taiwan, they would've done so during the first Persian Gulf War when our military was heavily focused on the Middle East and ill-deployed in the Far East. Recliaming their 'renegade province' would be an ill-fated decision for China. They know we support Taiwan and they know we would not let that nation fall under their control.

On that matter itself, the lack of recognition of Taiwan as independent by the United Nations is another example of that 'organization's' failings.