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PLA and U.S. Arms Racing in the Western Pacific
by Richard Fisher, Jr.
Published on June 29th, 2011
Introduction
On 18 May 2011, during his recent visit to Washington, D.C., General Chen Bingde, current Chief of the General Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), complained that China’s growing economic and military strength had, "unfortunately aroused unfounded suspicion and exaggeration of China's defense and military development.” General Chen further noted that this, "not only distorts China's strategic intention, and tarnishes our international image, but also pollutes the political environment for Sino-U.S. relations." Chen further stated, “I can tell you that China does not have the capability to challenge the US…To be honest, I feel very sad after visiting (the US), because I think, I feel and I know, how poor our equipment is and how underdeveloped we remain.”[1] Regarding Taiwan he stated, “efforts to enhance our military capabilities is [sic] mainly targeted at separatist forces… We would use peaceful means to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve reunification.”
These are well-worn Chinese deception and disinformation themes. Far more than most, General Chen Bingde would want Americans to be misinformed about PLA capabilities and Chinese intentions, as for over 15 years General Chen has been centrally involved in PLA’s side of what is now an arms race in Asia to determine who controls the future of Taiwan and who will dominate power relations in Asia. In 1995 and 1996 General Chen held top command positions in the Nanjing Military Region opposite Taiwan when the PLA fired missiles to intimidate the island’s democratic voters.[2] Chen likely was personally affronted when President Bill Clinton deployed two aircraft carrier battle groups to counter PLA intimidation.
As Chief of the CMC’s General Armaments Department from 2004-2007[3] he was directly involved in the decisions that led to weapons being revealed now and thru this decade, and in his current position he can be considered the PLA’s chief “war fighter.” Should he rise to CMC Vice Chairman or Defense Minister, then far more than his predecessors, General Chen Bingde would be uniquely prepared to lead the Chinese Communist Party leadership through military operations against Taiwan and the United States.
http://www.strategycenter.net/resear...pub_detail.asp
by Richard Fisher, Jr.
Published on June 29th, 2011
Introduction
On 18 May 2011, during his recent visit to Washington, D.C., General Chen Bingde, current Chief of the General Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), complained that China’s growing economic and military strength had, "unfortunately aroused unfounded suspicion and exaggeration of China's defense and military development.” General Chen further noted that this, "not only distorts China's strategic intention, and tarnishes our international image, but also pollutes the political environment for Sino-U.S. relations." Chen further stated, “I can tell you that China does not have the capability to challenge the US…To be honest, I feel very sad after visiting (the US), because I think, I feel and I know, how poor our equipment is and how underdeveloped we remain.”[1] Regarding Taiwan he stated, “efforts to enhance our military capabilities is [sic] mainly targeted at separatist forces… We would use peaceful means to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve reunification.”
These are well-worn Chinese deception and disinformation themes. Far more than most, General Chen Bingde would want Americans to be misinformed about PLA capabilities and Chinese intentions, as for over 15 years General Chen has been centrally involved in PLA’s side of what is now an arms race in Asia to determine who controls the future of Taiwan and who will dominate power relations in Asia. In 1995 and 1996 General Chen held top command positions in the Nanjing Military Region opposite Taiwan when the PLA fired missiles to intimidate the island’s democratic voters.[2] Chen likely was personally affronted when President Bill Clinton deployed two aircraft carrier battle groups to counter PLA intimidation.
As Chief of the CMC’s General Armaments Department from 2004-2007[3] he was directly involved in the decisions that led to weapons being revealed now and thru this decade, and in his current position he can be considered the PLA’s chief “war fighter.” Should he rise to CMC Vice Chairman or Defense Minister, then far more than his predecessors, General Chen Bingde would be uniquely prepared to lead the Chinese Communist Party leadership through military operations against Taiwan and the United States.
http://www.strategycenter.net/resear...pub_detail.asp
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