Today the New York Times tells us that Donald Rumsfeld, in a speech in Singapore, has delivered a "sharp rebuke" to the Chinese government for their defense spending, saying that it threatens the security balance in Asia.
He said no "candid discussion of China" could neglect to address these military concerns directly, and criticized China for not admitting the full extent of what he described as its worrisome military expansion. He called for an emphasis instead on political freedom and open markets.
"Since no nation threatens China, one wonders: why this growing investment?" Mr. Rumsfeld asked.
I'll let that sink in for a moment...
It is common knowledge that China has 20 missiles capable of reaching the United States. This is certainly cause for concern. It would be more so if the U.S. weren't China's best customer on the planet, a fact easily verified by a trip to Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, etc.
If that weren't enough to ease your mind, consider that the American WMD's pointed China's way number slightly under 8000, that China's defense spending is dwarfed by that of the United States, and that we are in effect "containing" China by building and maintaining a series of permanent military bases on China's Western border.
The article adds:
In recent weeks, American officials have compiled reports detailing how China has carefully analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the United States military to focus its growing spending on weapons systems that could exploit perceived American weaknesses in case the United States ever responds to fighting in Taiwan.
These military and intelligence officials say China has purchased or built enough amphibious assault ships, submarines, fighter jets and short-range missiles that pose an immediate threat to Taiwan and to any American force that might come to Taiwan's aid.
Asked about the speech before Mr. Rumsfeld delivered it, Scott McClellan, press secretary for President Bush, declined to discuss any change in tone in the way that the administration is talking about China. Referring to Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. McClellan added: "He speaks for the administration as secretary of defense. I haven't seen his remarks."
How to assess the Chinese military buildup has been the source of some debate within the administration. Mr. Rumsfeld's speech here, to a forum held by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, was circulated among senior administration officials, including Ms. Rice, before delivery, one Pentagon official said.
It would seem that China's attempts to retain (or regain) sovereignty over Taiwan are coming to more than words, and that they expect action from the U.S. in the event of an invasion, but to students of recent history know, the bases referred to above are a major thorn in the side of Chinese officials.
The article goes on to say that:
In recent weeks, American officials have compiled reports detailing how China has carefully analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the United States military to focus its growing spending on weapons systems that could exploit perceived American weaknesses in case the United States ever responds to fighting in Taiwan.
These military and intelligence officials say China has purchased or built enough amphibious assault ships, submarines, fighter jets and short-range missiles that pose an immediate threat to Taiwan and to any American force that might come to Taiwan's aid.
Hmmm...
Of course this could all be a smokescreen, the corporate media being the plaything of the ruling class, but it is a very interesting one, albeit quite dangerous if there is even a grain of truth contained therin, which is usually the case.
We'll see...
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