Tuesday, May. 05, 2009

Keeping an eye on China

Recently I perused the Department of Defense Annual Report to Congress: Military Power of the People’s Republic of China 2009.

Most of the national security discussion today in the media is understandably focused on Iraq and Afghanistan since our servicemen are in combat in both places (whether you see that as one war or two wars).

However, this report on Chinese military power makes it clear that our leaders charged with preserving our security cannot afford to neglect the rest of the world either. China is a clear example.

The population alone makes paying attention to China important, as does our trade. How many “made in China” products have you purchased?

Economics certainly play a role in China’s current and potential power, but the major concerns in this document are related to China’s rising military power and its impact on the rest of the world.

China is working very hard to enhance its military-related capabilities, from naval to space forces. The renovation of an old Soviet aircraft carrier may eventually produce a Chinese naval air capability.

Nuclear missile submarines will provide a long-range strike capability against a perceived major power threat. Doctrinal reviews and careful monitoring of American successes and failures provide the basis for the Chinese military to revamp its military strategy and warfighting plans.

New aircraft and cruise missiles provide the ability to threaten its neighbors or support nations friendly to China. Weapons exports to places like the Sudan maintain the carnage elsewhere when it suits the Chinese leadership. Space operations have already shown a basic anti-satellite capability.

The location of China with regard to major shipping lanes makes any power projection capability an issue worth watching. The survival of a free Taiwan also makes a power projection-oriented Chinese military worth watching.

The maps in the document that show missile ranges are also, interesting because they show that if you consider the distance between China and the United States via a polar route, we aren’t very far apart.

None of this means we need to start digging foxholes in our backyards or boycott Chinese products. However, we do need to pay attention.

Our leaders must be careful when they speak. They probably should not say that we ought to consider a Chinese suggestion that the world scrap using the dollar as an international currency standard, for example.

China is not an enemy, at least not yet. Nonetheless, China easily could become our major competitor for influence around the world, so all of us need to pay attention.

There was a time when people referred to the United States as a sleeping giant. I think China may be the sleeping giant that now is beginning to awaken.

I hope we can figure out how to have peaceful relations. Regardless of whether relations are peaceful or adversarial, China should be watched. Much is going on, and we must not allow ourselves to be surprised regarding the outcome.

John M. House is a retired Army colonel who lives in Midland. His e-mail is housearmylife@aol.com.