The United States military is still “very concerned” about China’s military development, Chinese analysts said, commenting on the latest defense paper the US Ministry of Defense released yesterday.
But they pointed out the latest Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) is already “the most constructive” one of its kind in referring to China, coming at a time when Sino-US ties are at their lowest point since Barack Obama became US president in January 2009.
The QDR is the main public document describing the US’s military doctrine and it analyzes Washington’s strategic objectives and potential military threats.
Alluding to China in his cover letter to the 2010 QDR, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates cited longer-term threats such as “the military modernization programs of other countries”.
China is developing and deploying “large numbers” of advanced missiles, new attack submarines, long-range air defense systems and capabilities to wage electronic warfare and target computer systems, according to the report.
“Lack of transparency and the nature of China’s military development and decision-making processes raise legitimate questions about its future conduct and intentions within Asia and beyond,” the review says.
According to the 2010 QDR Washington once again considers China as a country that deserves “high vigilance”, China News Service said in a report.
The US military is “drawing up a new air-sea battle plan in response to threats such as China’s persistent military buildup,” Bloomberg news said.
The review emphasizes threats from China, while examining the need to defend against the threat of cyberattacks – without mentioning China by name – and China’s focus on pre-emptive strikes, CNN said.
China’s “unsatisfied” about the review, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday, noting Beijing’s military buildup as “justified and normal”.
“We hope the US can see China’s development and defense buildup objectively, stop making irresponsible remarks, and do more to develop better Sino-US relations and trust,” Ma Zhaoxu told a regular briefing.
But despite emphasizing its concern about China, Washington “welcomes a strong, prosperous, and successful China that plays a greater global role”, the QDR said.
“The United States and China should sustain open channels of communication to discuss disagreements in order to manage and ultimately reduce the risks of conflict that are inherent in any relationship as broad and complex as that shared by these two nations,” it continued.
Chinese analysts see such message as good for bilateral ties.
“It may be the most constructive QDR I have ever read,” said Fan Jishe, an expert on US defense affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
“The US is very concerned about China’s military development. It urges China be more transparent. (But) the US’s attitude is very constructive by calling for talks to address these issues,” Fan said.
“The US is managing cooperation with China,” he said, adding some may even question the QDR for being not tough enough toward Beijing.
In its official blog, the US Naval Institute has already said the QDR has paid little focus on China’s “naval presence”. “The inherent danger in such a practice is the strategic space it gives potential adversaries to maneuver and accomplish long-term goals – like establishing overseas bases,” the blogger writes.
Senior Colonel Zhao Xiaozhuo, an expert on US military affairs at Beijing-based Academy of Military Science, noted that China has been sticking to a defensive rather than offensive national defense policy.
“China’s military development doesn’t target on any other country. No one wants to be an enemy of the super power,” Zhao said.
Commenting on the QDR, he said the US will now pay more attention to “imminent” dangers. “Iraq and Afghanistan are still key issues for Obama during the following years of his tenure.”
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