ID :
200790
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 02:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/200790
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China's military ambitions
Korea Times
(Yonhap) - China has become the 10th country in the world to possess an aircraft carrier. On Wednesday, its first aircraft carrier, Varyag, embarked on its test operation. The carrier project is part of Beijing???s efforts to build up its military. The country is also constructing two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
As Beijing argued, the debut of the carrier may not pose an immediate threat to its neighbors or to world???s lone superpower, the United States. However, concerns are growing that a more assertive China may mobilize its military might to solve territorial disputes or protect national interests. That???s why Washington has called on Beijing to explain why it needs an aircraft carrier.
China is rapidly emerging as a military power based on its rise as the world???s second-largest economy. It set aside $91.5 billion for this year???s military spending, 12.7 percent up from last year. Beijing is expected to continue the double-digit increase for years to come. In the not-too-distant future, China may surpass America to become the world???s No. 1 military giant.
The Asian country has already started modernizing its military. It is now developing its first stealth fighter jet, an anti-ballistic missile and other state-of-the art weapons. Its strengthened military is feared to serve as a destabilizing factor not only in the region but also across the globe.
No one can rule out the possibility of Beijing???s saber-rattling against Taiwan, although cross-strait relations have improved recently. Taiwan responded to the test voyage of Varyag by displaying its own missile, described as an ???aircraft carrier killer.???
The launch of the 300-meter-long aircraft carrier could have some ramifications on territorial disputes with neighboring countries over islands in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
China???s military ambitions might escalate an arms race in the region, and its expanding military capabilities could cause a clash with the U.S. America is not ready to abandon its containment policy toward China at least for defense and security. China???s rise is likely to tip the balance of power in East Asia where the U.S. maintains alliances with South Korea and Japan.
If China jockeys for regional hegemony through military expansion, there may arise unpredictable consequences. The Korean Peninsula especially could be vulnerable to geopolitical changes arising from a strengthening China and a declining America. If China intends to become a superpower, it should learn how to use its might to settle peace in the region and the world. It must refrain from pursuing hegemony.
(Yonhap) - China has become the 10th country in the world to possess an aircraft carrier. On Wednesday, its first aircraft carrier, Varyag, embarked on its test operation. The carrier project is part of Beijing???s efforts to build up its military. The country is also constructing two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
As Beijing argued, the debut of the carrier may not pose an immediate threat to its neighbors or to world???s lone superpower, the United States. However, concerns are growing that a more assertive China may mobilize its military might to solve territorial disputes or protect national interests. That???s why Washington has called on Beijing to explain why it needs an aircraft carrier.
China is rapidly emerging as a military power based on its rise as the world???s second-largest economy. It set aside $91.5 billion for this year???s military spending, 12.7 percent up from last year. Beijing is expected to continue the double-digit increase for years to come. In the not-too-distant future, China may surpass America to become the world???s No. 1 military giant.
The Asian country has already started modernizing its military. It is now developing its first stealth fighter jet, an anti-ballistic missile and other state-of-the art weapons. Its strengthened military is feared to serve as a destabilizing factor not only in the region but also across the globe.
No one can rule out the possibility of Beijing???s saber-rattling against Taiwan, although cross-strait relations have improved recently. Taiwan responded to the test voyage of Varyag by displaying its own missile, described as an ???aircraft carrier killer.???
The launch of the 300-meter-long aircraft carrier could have some ramifications on territorial disputes with neighboring countries over islands in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
China???s military ambitions might escalate an arms race in the region, and its expanding military capabilities could cause a clash with the U.S. America is not ready to abandon its containment policy toward China at least for defense and security. China???s rise is likely to tip the balance of power in East Asia where the U.S. maintains alliances with South Korea and Japan.
If China jockeys for regional hegemony through military expansion, there may arise unpredictable consequences. The Korean Peninsula especially could be vulnerable to geopolitical changes arising from a strengthening China and a declining America. If China intends to become a superpower, it should learn how to use its might to settle peace in the region and the world. It must refrain from pursuing hegemony.
